Gas tanker explodes, burns car with two occupants in Rivers 

Two persons were confirmed dead when a tanker suspected to be carrying Liquefied Natural Gas exploded at the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover along the East-West Road on the outskirts of Port Harcourt in Rivers state.

The explosion was said to have occurred around 9.25am when the tanker upturned while trying to negotiate the bypass at the flyover and immediately went up in flames crushing a salon car with two occupants inside.

This came after a month when a fuel-laden tanker exploded along the Eleme end of the East-West Road claiming about five lives and burnt over 60 cars.

In the latest incident, an eyewitness said two occupants of the car were trapped and were unable to escape.

He stated, “It was a terrible sight. Two persons inside a salon car parked nearby were burnt beyond recognition.

“The tanker was trying to negotiate through the flyover when it fell and the explosion occurred.

The Obiri-Kwere flyover leads to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, in the Ikwerre local government area of the state.

Another eyewitness who gave his name as Lucky said the sound of the explosion could be heard in residential areas near the flyover and caused panic.

He said, “It was about past 9 am that I was driving towards the University of Port Harcourt that I saw the flames.

“I quickly made a U-turn because I was driving. Many vehicles started making a detour to avoid the scene of the fire”.

The spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and the casualty figure.

Iringe-Koko, stated, “I can confirm that two persons died in the tanker fire incident. The Commissioner of Police and I are on the ground as I speak to you.

“The fire has been put out but the area is still dangerous because the gas is licking.. “

Source: PUNCH