Tanker explosion kills 20 along Warri, Benin highway

No fewer than 20 people were feared killed  after a tanker exploded Sunday at Koko junction along Warri – Benin Highway in Warri, Delta State.

It was gathered that the incident, which occurred in the early hours was caused by a spark from a faulty vehicle while the persons were busy scooping fuel that spilled from the tanker.

An eye witness said the tanker fell and spilled its contents on the road, while some persons rushed to scoop fuel despite being warned by drivers and security men who had stormed the scene after they learnt the tanker had fallen.

“We tried to prevent them but the youths threatened to beat us up telling us it’s their community. They came in their numbers carrying all sorts of containers and when the explosion happened around 12:15 am this morning we all fled.

“You can see dead bodies on the ground, some of them ran into the forest, as I speak some dead bodies have been removed, I counted over 20 bodies”, the eyewitness said.

The eyewitness added that among the dead were a pregnant woman, children and some elderly persons.