Scene of the accident. Photo: Chidiebube Okeoma
No fewer than 20 persons were Friday burnt to death when a tanker laden with petrol fell and exploded on the Njaba bridge close to Owerri, the Imo State capital.
It was reported that the truck, which was on its way to Orlu from the state capital, was conveying diesel.
According to an eyewitness account the tanker that was headed to Owerri, suddenly lost control while climbing the hill on the Njaba Bridge and started rolling back before it capsized and burst into flames, which engulfed on an eighteen seater bus that was following behind and burnt the whole occupants to death.
He said, “Over 20 people lost their lives on Njaba bridge after a trailer conveying diesel lost control.
“It rammed into an 18-seater bus and, sadly, all the occupants of the bus were burnt alive.”
Another eyewitness name, Chukwukere Obinna, said, “Relevant authorities should take note of the kind of accidents that occur these days.
“It happened on Njaba bridge. It was a multiple accident. People were feared dead. It is a disaster. A black Friday, indeed.”
Another eyewitness who gave his identity as Ikechukwu, disclosed that immediately the two vehicles collided, they exploded and burned to death the 18 passengers.
He said, “It was a black Friday, as more than 20 people died in an accident between a tanker carrying diesel and an 18-seater bus.
“The bus was burnt beyond recognition, all the passengers were roasted alive except one woman who survived.”
However when contacted, the Imo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Joseph Aremu, confirmed the accident but said that the casualty figure was not yet ascertained.
He said that his men were on ground at the scene of the accident to control traffic and render assistance to surviving victims.
No comments:
Post a Comment