Confirmation of Fatalities and Extensive Vehicle Damage in Delta State Petrol Tanker Incident.

He said, 'In the fire incident that occurred, we recorded five deaths, eight buses, two tankers, five trailers, two cars, and one motorcycle were burnt completely.' A resident in the area, who identified himself as Moses, mentioned that some individuals rushed to the fallen tanker to scoop petrol, which led to the sudden eruption of the fire, resulting in the deaths of at least five persons. He attributed the cause of the accident to the deplorable state of the road. The Ologbo section of the Sapele-Benin road has become a travel nightmare due to its deteriorating condition, causing travelers to be frequently stranded for hours or even an entire day since the rainy season began this year.

Numerous appeals had been directed towards the Federal Government, urging them to promptly repair the deteriorated section of the road in order to alleviate the yearly ordeal faced by travelers during the rainy season. Additionally, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State conveyed his grief over the tragic tanker explosion at Koko junction on the Warri-Benin expressway, which resulted in loss of lives. He attributed the incident to the deplorable condition of federal roads.

In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, the governor expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased victims of the accident. He further urged the Federal Government to prioritize the swift reconstruction of the dilapidated sections of the road.

However, he urged individuals to exercise caution and refrain from the perilous practice of collecting fuel from a toppled tanker due to the highly combustible nature of the substance.

"In the early hours of today, we received reports of an explosion at Koko junction along the Warri-Benin expressway. On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims who tragically lost their lives in the inferno.

"This unfortunate and sorrowful incident could have been prevented if the Federal Government had fulfilled its responsibility of maintaining the roads.

"While I grieve for the departed, I want to reiterate my previous call to the Federal Government to take decisive action to safeguard the lives of our citizens from these distressing ordeals.

"I also wish to use this opportunity to caution our citizens against engaging in the hazardous practice of siphoning fuel from a fallen tanker, given the highly flammable nature of the substance."

Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police for Delta State, Mr. Wale Abass, has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the five individuals who tragically lost their lives in the fire explosion that occurred yesterday.

"In a statement issued by the command's Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, the CP remarked: 'In the early hours of today, 1/10/2023, at 0200hrs, the command witnessed a tragic incident in which a tanker carrying PMS, en route to Benin along the Warri-Benin Road, overturned upon reaching Ugbenu Koko Junction.

"The spilled fuel from the tanker flowed into the nearby swamp, attracting several youths who took advantage of the situation to collect the fuel in jerry cans and other containers.

"However, while they were engaged in this activity, an explosion occurred, engulfing the entire vicinity in flames.

Following this tragic incident, the scene was promptly visited, and the bodies of the victims were subsequently transported to the mortuary at Oghara General Hospital for further arrangements.