Eight dead, houses razed in tanker explosion in Delta

No fewer than eight persons were feared dead in a fire incident involving a petrol-laden tanker on Friday at Ometan-Okpe in Okpe Local Government area of Delta State.

The development is coming barely seven days after a gas tanker explosion killed many residents and destroyed properties in Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred when the ill-fated tanker coming from Effurun reportedly lost control while overtaking another truck a few metres away from the boundary bridge between Uvwie and Okpe Local Government Area.

Eyewitnesses said the front part of the tanker suddenly detached from the rear compartment while on motion, leading to an explosion.

Most buildings in the community within the accident scene were razed, while some residents who were trapped in the building were also burnt to death.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has visited the scene and condoled with the Ometan-Okpe community and families of the victims.

The governor was accompanied by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor and former chairman of Okpe Local Government area.

Said he, “on getting here, I saw dead bodies and those who witnessed the unfortunate incident.

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