Tragedy struck at the Upper Iweka Roundabout in
the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, on
Sunday when a fuel tanker rammed into a building
and caused an inferno.


It was gathered that no fewer than 50 persons,
including a pregnant woman and some children,
were burnt by the fire, which also consumed
about 15 buses.


Our correspondents learnt that some “
newspaper free readers”, at newsstands were
among the victims.

Eyewitnesses said that one of the buses was
loading passengers in a park near the scene of the
incident when the flames consumed it and three
motorcycles at about 3pm.

One of them, who gave his name simply as
Okechukwu, said the driver of the tanker was
descending the Upper Iweka Road from the Enugu-
Nkpor Road when he lost control of the vehicle.
He added, “We learnt that the tanker suffered a
brake failure and the driver lost control.


“I think he tried to stop the vehicle with some of
the barriers on the road, but unfortunately the
tanker rammed into a building and fell.”

Okechukwu said the tanker caught fire 10 minutes
after ramming into the building. He added that the
tanker was on its way to Asaba in Delta State
when the incident happened.

It was gathered that the inferno attracted many
residents of the city who were helpless. Many of
them reportedly resorted to crying.


Another eyewitness, Joseph Ugwuanyi, on his
Facebook page wrote, “At about 1pm to 2pm, a
fuel tanker rammed into the busy Asaba Park in
Upper Iweka Road, Onitsha, and went up in flames,
maiming scores. The fire lasted for approximately
an hour before firefighters were able to control it.


“Many of us initially thought there were no
casualties, though some people sustained serious
injuries while fleeing the scene.

“However, it was later learnt after the fire subsided
that there was a massive carnage of victims who
were either caught unawares or those who were
already seated in the now charred buses in the
park.


“They reportedly were burnt beyond recognition in
the hour-long intense fire.”

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Hosea
Karma, who visited the scene of the incident with
senior police officers of the command, could be
seen directing the evacuation of the charred
remains of the victims.


As of 5.15pm, charred bodies were still being
evacuated from the area by security and para-
military operatives as well as officers of the
Federal Road Safety Corps.


Karma described the incident as “tragic and
unfortunate.”
He said the tanker was coming from Oguta Road
and was trying to link up with Owerri Road when
the driver lost control .

The Commissioner of Police said, “All the persons
inside the buses ─ I think about 12 buses ─ were
burnt beyond recognition.

“Scores of other victims, who were still alive, were
immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.
“We cannot state the number of those involved in
the incident because we are still working. The
number will come after the end of the evacuation.”
It was gathered that the Anambra State Governor,
Willie Obiano, broke down in tears at the scene of
the incident.

The state Commissioner for Transport, Chief
Chuma Mbonu, described the incident as
unfortunate.

He said the information with the government was
that 14 vehicles were burnt, while scores of people
were trapped.






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http://www.punchng.com/news/pregnant-woman-49-others-die-in-onitsha-tanker-fire/

RIP

Chaii. R. I. P.

It's a pity, may God have mercy on us


May their souls rest in perfect peace