BREAKING: Tragic Tanker Explosion On Warri-Benin Highway Claims 20 Lives

At least 20 persons tragically lost their lives in the aftermath of a tanker explosion on the Warri-Benin Highway, located within the Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com understands that the catastrophic incident occurred early on Sunday at the Koko junction, as reported by Sunday Vanguard online.

The report detailed how a spark from a malfunctioning vehicle ignited the fuel that had spilled from the overturned tanker.

According to the report, despite warnings from nearby drivers and security personnel, locals rushed to the scene to collect the spilled fuel, leading to the devastating explosion.

The victims included a pregnant woman, children, and elderly persons.

An anonymous eyewitness claimed that the locals, primarily youths, ignored the warnings and threats, insisting on gathering the spilled fuel using various containers.

The explosion occurred around 12:15 am, causing immediate chaos and panic.

Yusuf, an eyewitness, recounted the horrific scene, noting that he counted over 20 bodies, some of whom had fled into the forest.

“We tried to prevent them but the youths threatened to beat us up telling us it’s their community. They came in their numbers carrying all sorts of containers and when the explosion happened around 12:15 am this morning we all fled.

“You can see dead bodies on the ground, some of them ran into the forest as I speak some dead bodies have been removed, I counted over 20 bodies,” the eye witness who called his name Yusuf said.

The Sunday Vanguard confirmed the grim scene upon their arrival, with multiple bodies burnt beyond recognition, the exploded tanker, and other charred vehicles visible.

BIGPEN NIGERIA reports that the Warri-Benin highway,which is a federal government road, is plagued by a significant number of accidents each year, often involving heavy-duty vehicles that topple over due to the road’s severe state of disrepair.

However, recognizing the losses endured by motorists and commuters, the Delta State Government, recently announced plans to initiate repairs on a specific section of the East-West highway.