Twenty people reportedly lost their lives following a tanker explosion at Koko junction along the Warri – Benin Highway in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Goldennewsng learnt that the tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday due to a spark from a faulty vehicle while the victims, including a pregnant woman, children, and some elderly persons, were busy scooping fuel from a fallen tanker.
An eyewitness who spoke to Vanguard said the victims rushed to scoop fuel from the tanker, which fell along the road despite being warned by drivers and security men who had stormed the scene.
The eyewitness added that some victims also ran into the forest while some dead bodies were removed.
Some bodies were burnt beyond recognition, while burnt vehicles, including the exploded tanker, were seen at the explosion scene.
“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 a.m. 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”
