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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Ten persons who suffered severe burns in a fuel tanker explosion at Oluku, in Ovia North-East Local Government ,Edo State, have been rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for treatment.
The explosion, which occurred at about 1pm, also affected shops at Oluku market and vehicles in the area.
The tanker reportedly fell in the morning, spilling fuel, which some residents gathered to scoop before it burst into flames.
A witness said the spilled fuel flowed into drains on which some shops were built, allowing the fire to spread through parts of the market.
The witness, who admitted joining others to scoop fuel, said a soldier’s warning moments before the explosion helped him escape.
“I was also among those who were scooping the fuel. I escaped by the whiskers,” he said.
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“As I looked back after he spoke to me, the tanker burst into flames as people around the area ran for their lives. I thank the soldier; if not, I would have been burnt by now.”
He said two men beneath the tanker suffered burns, while shops and vehicles, including some being driven against traffic, were affected.
“Shops were also burnt down. However, 10 people were rushed to the emergency unit of UBTH,” he added.
The report did not establish what ignited the fuel or confirm any deaths.
At UBTH, management mobilised emergency personnel to attend to the victims.
The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, led the response across the accident and emergency department and burns unit to stabilise the patients.
