By: Felix Ikpotor
Atleast three persons have been confirmed dead in a tanker accident which exploded at the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover along the East-West in Port Harcourt in Rivers state.
The tanker is suspected to be carrying Liquefied Natural Gas
Eyewitness accounts say the explosion occurred at about 9:25 am when the tanker upturned while trying to negotiate the bypass at the flyover and immediately went up in flames crushing a salon car with two persons inside.
He stated, “My office is just close by here. It was a terrible sight. Two persons inside a salon car parked nearby were burnt beyond recognition.
“The tanker was trying to negotiate through the flyover when it fell and the explosion occurred.
Another eyewitness said the sound of the explosion spread to residential areas near the flyover and caused panic.
He stated” It was about past 9:00 am that I was driving towards the University of Port Harcourt that I saw the flames.
“I quickly made a u-turn because I was driving. Many vehicles started making a detour to avoid the scene of the fire, some were even videoing the fire with their phones”.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that two persons died in the incident.
Iringe-Koko, stated, “Yes I can confirm that two persons died in the tanker fire. Myself and the Commissioner of Police are on the ground as I speak to you.
“The fire has been put out but the area is still dangerous because the gas is still licking.
“So motorists are advised to take alternative routes to avoid any further casualty. The investigation is ongoing. “
