No fewer than 25 persons were burnt to death on Wednesday when a tanker carrying petroleum products along the Benin/Sapele highway, around Koko Junction, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State exploded.
The tanker was said to have fallen while avoiding “a dangerous pothole” on the road.
Several cars were also reportedly burnt as the raging inferno did not spare any of the nearby objects.
An eyewitness told newsmen that the tanker exploded immediately it fell as the product it was carrying spilled.
The about 25 persons, the eyewitness said were burnt beyond recognition.
“This is very sad and tragic as we watched from a distance as human beings were burnt like animals. We were obviously helpless considering the thickness of the inferno,” the eyewitness narrated.
As at press time, officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC), and security operatives were sighted removing the burnt victims, while some of the injured ones have been taken nearby hospital for treatment.
