Seven burnt to death in Warri-Sapele Expressway petrol tanker accident

A tragic incident that happened on Friday morning saw no fewer than seven people lose their lives when a petrol-laden tanker detached and exploded on motion on the Warri-Sapele Expressway at Ometan community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was gathered that the horrific incident, which happened at about 10am on Friday, involved a trailer.

The trailer dismembered on the road after the tank body separated from the truck head, and the impact of the crash triggered a massive fire. 

“The fire accident occurred around 10am when the tanker laden with fuel fell on the road after the tanker head detached while in motion in the Ometan community along the Warri-Sapele Road on Friday,” an eyewitness recounted.

In response to the distress call of the incident, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, who was returning from project inspection in the creeks, commiserated with the community on the death of seven of their indigenes in the tanker fire explosion. 

Governor Oborevwori, who headed straight to the accident scene, flanked by Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and former Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa, condoled with the community on the unfortunate incident.

He said: “I was just coming from the creeks where I went to inspect projects, and there was no network, so immediately I arrived at the Navy jetty, and I received a message from the Head of Personnel Management of Okpe Local Government Area, informing me of the sad incident.

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“On getting here, I saw dead bodies, and those who witnessed the unfortunate incident said the tanker had an accident and exploded, which led to the fire explosion.

“It is a very sad situation, and I commiserate with the people of the Ometan community and families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident.”