8 burnt to death in Kogi tanker explosion

The tanker, during the inferno

ABOUT eight persons were burnt to death, when a tanker with full load of premium motor spirit, PMS (petrol), lost control, due to brake failure, and fell off the bridge of Maboro River, in Ankpa, headquarters of Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The incident was said to have occurred around 3.30pm., on Wednesday.

While eye witnesses put the casualty figures at 20, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, said eight persons died.

The eye witness said some of the victims were burnt beyond recognition and the charred remains  and debris of cars littered the area.

"Many people were in the river doing one thing or the other when the tanker lost control, fell and exploded on the bridge. It's horrible. It was the most gory scene I have seen in my life," said Usman Ahmed from Ankpa.

"This one is the most terrible and horrible scene. More than 20 persons were burnt to death, some beyond recognition.

"Many who were "crushed to death had their body parts scattered all over the place. Their parts had to be picked in bits and pieces in body bags."

He said it was the second major accident in the area in recent times.

However, the Kogi State FRSC Sector Commander, Stephen Dawulung, who confirmed the incident, said the number of casualties could not be established, but said eight persons died in the tanker mishap.

"The accident involved a tanker, one bus, three cars and three motorcycles."

Meanwhile, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, has expressed shock over the incident.

Governor Bello in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Mohammed, also expressed his deepest condolence to the family of those that died in the tragic occurrence.

Praying to God to grant the departed souls eternal rest, Bello also offered prayers for quick recovery and healing for survivours of the unfortunate incident

The governor described the event in Ankpa as a tragedy and commended the efforts taken so far by the Ankpa council administration and the State’s Emergency Management Team in getting to the root of the unfortunate incident to avoid any of such incident in the nearest future.

While the State’s Emergency Management and other relevant agencies have been at the scene to put the situation under control, the governor has also set up a powerful government representative to visit the area on Friday.

Governor Bello urged drivers of articulated vehicles and other motorists to ensure their vehicles are in proper mechanical conditions before hitting the roads to avoid plunging the state and country into tragedies caused by tanker explosions.

Culled from Vanguard