By Onome Oghenetega
A breastfeeding mother and her three-month-old baby were among the eight persons confirmed dead in a petroleum tanker explosion at Ometan-Okpe community along the ever-busy Effurun-Sapele Road in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State on Friday.
The incident was said to have occurred around 10am when a tanker said to be carrying fuel developed mechanical fault and reportedly lost the head while on motion thereby resulting in an explosion by the busy Ometan-Okpe junction.
It was gathered that the fuel laden tanker was said to have exploded and razed buildings and other property in the fast developing community.
NIGER DELTA TODAY Online correspondent who visited the scene of the incident gathered that the breastfeeding mother was roasted to death while trying to rescue her three-month-old baby who was trapped in the inferno.
Sources at the scene of the incident told our correspondent that a 16-year-old secondary schoolgirl and her mother who were trapped in their apartment were among the deceased.
At about 5:30pm when our correspondent was leaving the scene of the accident, the lifeless bodies of the victims were still at the spot where they were burnt alive while sympathisers covered their remains with zinc.
Some witnesses blamed the incident on the tanker driver whom they accused of overspending and called on the Delta State Government to come to the rescue of property owners who lost their houses and other means of livelihood to the unfortunate incident.
A total of seven residential buildings, an oil and gas company complex and chains of makeshift buildings were razed by the explosion. Also destroyed were three vehicles and heavy duty truck
Meanwhile, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has visited the scene of the accident and commiserated with the people of Ometan-Okpe community over the unfortunate incident.
Speaking at the accident scene, Governor Oborevwori flanked by Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor and former Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa, empathised with the community on the unfortunate incident.
“I was just coming from the creeks where I went to inspect projects and there was no network so immediately I arrived the Navy jetty, I received a message from the Head of Personnel Management of Okpe Local Government Council informing me of the sad incident.
“On getting here I saw dead bodies and those who witnessed the unfortunate incident, said the tanker had an accident and exploded which led to the fire explosion.
“It is a very sad situation and I commiserate with the people of Ometan-Okpe community and families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident.”
