Kayode Olagunju, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission , Rivers State, has confirmed that 95 dead bodies have been recovered from the site of a tanker explosion in Okobie, River State today.
The victims were burnt beyond recognition while scooping fuel from a fallen tanker.
Mr Olagunju revealed that 93 died on the spot (burnt), 2 died in the hospital, making 95 deaths, while 18 persons were injured. 4 vehicles, (1 tanker, 1 Toyota corolla car, 1 Hummer bus and 1 Mitsubushi bus) and 34 motorcycles were burnt as at 13:00 hours.
The fuel tanker was reported to have broken down overnight on a road in the area and was gushing fuel and by this morning a large crowd of people reportedly gathered around the tanker, scooping fuel leaking from the tanker.
According to an eyewitness, while the scooping of fuel was on, the tanker exploded.
The tragic incident occurred at Ahoada – Mbiama on the East-West road in Rivers state.
So so sad. God wil console those that lost their luvd ones.