20 youths scooping fuel die as tanker explodes on Warri highway

A Petrol-laden tanker on Sunday morning exlploded along the Warri-Benin highway.

The incident which occurred  at Koko junction in the Warri North Government Area of Delta State, reportedly claimed about 20 lives.

Witnesses said the explosion was caused by a spark from faulty vehicle when some individuals were busy scooping fuel that spilled from the tanker.

Among the dead were a pregnant woman, children, and some elderly persons.

One of the witnesses said the tanker fell and spilled its contents on the road and some persons rushed to scoop fuel despite being warned by drivers and security men at the scene.

“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. The explosion happened around 12.15am.

“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.”