National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By ChuksPeter, DELTA
Tragedy struck Agbor, the headquarters of Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State, on Sunday, as a petrol tanker explosion claimed several lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
The incident occurred along the busy Old Lagos/Asaba Road near First Bank, when a petrol-laden tanker lost control while negotiating a turn and fell, sparking a massive explosion that sent residents fleeing in panic.
Eyewitnesses reported that vehicles, houses, and shops were engulfed in flames before the arrival of emergency services.
“It was horrifying,” said Mr. Chuks Ogwude, an eyewitness. “The fire spread too fast. People were screaming and running for safety. We tried to help, but it was beyond us. The government needs to act fast to prevent more disasters like this.”
Videos shared online showed desperate locals attempting to douse the raging inferno with buckets of water before firefighters arrived. Sadly, many victims were reportedly burnt beyond recognition, with charred bodies found inside vehicles caught in the blaze.
Residents blamed the tragedy on poor road maintenance and reckless driving by tanker operators.
Mrs. Ebele Chiejine, a trader in the area, expressed frustration over the frequent occurrence of tanker-related accidents.
“We’ve had too many tanker accidents on this road,” she lamented. “Most of these tankers are not roadworthy, and their drivers are reckless. The government must enforce strict regulations to save lives.”
Community leaders have called on the Delta State Government to intervene by improving road conditions and regulating tanker movements in the state.
“This road has become a death trap,” said Chief Solomon Agbo, a local leader. “We need the government to step in and ensure these tanker drivers follow safety rules. Enough is enough!”
The Delta State Police Command and fire service officials later arrived at the scene to prevent further spread of the fire and assist victims.
While the exact casualty figure is yet to be confirmed, residents have demanded a thorough investigation and immediate measures to prevent future occurrences.
“The government must take this seriously. Too many lives have been lost already,” said a resident, who gave his name as Mr. Emeka.
As of the time of this report, efforts were ongoing to assess the full extent of damage, while residents mourned the tragic loss of lives and properties.
