Police confirm 12 deaths in Petrol tanker explosion in Cross River

From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar

The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed that twelve people died in a petrol tanker explosion in Ogoja local government area of Cross River State.

The State Police Public Relations Officer ASP Eitokpah Sunday disclosed this in a telephone conversation with our correspondent in Cross River State.

According to him, “Following the unfortunate incident the Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO) Ogoja and patrol teams were promptly mobilized to the scene to secure the area and manage traffic.

‘The scene was cordoned off to prevent further casualties, while efforts were made in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to rescue trapped victims and evacuate the injured to General Hospital Ogoja for medical attention.

” Following the outbreak of fire during transloading operations, additional reinforcements were deployed to contain the situation, ensure public safety, and prevent escalation. The affected area was further secured and access restricted.

“12 corpses were evacuated and released to appropriate authorities/families, including the Hausa Muslim community for burial in line with Islamic rites”, he said.

He added that investigation into the incident is ongoing to ascertain the remote and immediate causes, particularly the circumstances surrounding the transloading process that led to the explosion.

Meanwhile sources say about 38 persons suffered various degrees of injuries in the explosion which happened Wednesday.

The ill fated tanker is said to have fallen into a nearby river during transloading operations, ignited a fire that engulfed dozens of residents at the scene.

Unconfirmed reports has it that a soldier and policeman also suffered injuries in the course of the explosion.

END