Many feared dead as tanker explodes in Imo

One person was burnt to death and three others were severely injured after a petroleum tanker exploded at a gas station in Irete community along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Owerri-West Local Government Area of Imo state today, August 14.

According to reports, the coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Imo state, Evans Ugoh, stated after discharging its content at the filling station, the petroleum tanker was about reversing and manoeuvring its way out of the premises when it was hit by a J5 commercial bus carrying pineapples on high speed. The bus lost control and crashed into the truck, leading to a heavy explosion.

Mr. Ugoh affirmed that one of the passengers of the J5 commercial bus, a female, died on the spot while 3 other persons who nursed fatal injuries have been hurried to a nearby hospital for treatment.

He said, however, officials of the IMO state fire service, Red Cross, Civil defence, the Nigerian Police and NEMA officials were all on the ground for rescue operations.

See more photos from the incident below… Viewers discretion advise