Over 20 people have lost their lives following a tanker explosion at Koko junction along Warri – Benin Highway in Warri North local government area of Delta State.
NewsBand gathered that the incident, which occurred in the wee hours of Sunday was as a result of a spark from a faulty vehicle while the persons were busy scooping petrol that spilled from the tanker.
The tanker reportedly fell and spilled its contents on the road and some persons rushed to scoop fuel despite being warned by drivers and security operatives 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”, Vanguard quoted a source.
At the time of filing this report, dead bodies burnt beyond recognition were seen on the ground, including the exploded tanker and other burnt vehicles.