Seven killed in Nigerian petrol tanker explosion
A preliminary assessment revealed that a speeding bus rammed into the tanker, laden with 33 litres of petroleum products, while it was ascending a road.
CAPE TOWN, June 17 (ANA) – Seven people were killed when a petrol tanker exploded in Nigeria’s south-western state of Ogun on Wednesday, local media reported, citing authorities.
Federal Road Safety Corps commander at the Idiroko unit Akinwunmi Olaluwoye told the News Agency of Nigeria in Ota that two other people sustained injuries in the accident.
According to authorities, the accident happened at about 8.45 am on Wednesday morning.
A preliminary assessment revealed that a speeding bus rammed into the tanker, laden with 33 litres of petroleum products, while it was ascending a road, Pulse Nigeria reported. The oil tanker exploded immediately after the collision.
Authorities said they were conducting an investigation into the incident.
Road accidents involving oil tankers are common in the West African country, often caused by overloading, bad road conditions and reckless driving.
In April, 12 people were killed in central Nigeria after an oil tanker carrying petrol veered off the road and spilled its contents in the Oshigbudu area of Benue state.
In 2019, at least 45 people were killed after a fuel tanker crashed and exploded in the same state.
The rise in tanker explosions on Nigerian roads has prompted the department of petroleum resources, the national regulatory body for gas marketing, to issue strict safety guidelines, according to Anadolu news agency.
In 2020, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announced the launch of the US$2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project, which he promised would significantly improve power generation for domestic use and for gas-based industries.
– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa