Five persons were burnt to death, while two others sustained serious injury on Wednesday when a fully loaded petroleum tanker detached and exploded in the Ajilete area of Owode-Idiroko Road, Ogun State.
It was gathered that the accident happened when the diesel-laden tanker was descending the sloppy road and its tank suddenly detached from the lorry head, fell off and exploded.
An eyewitness told journalists that the truck was conveying 33,000 litres of diesel when the unfortunate incident occurred.
Five residents of the area were killed on the spot and two others were left injured.
The Federal Road Safety Corps Unit Commander of Idiroko Unit, Akinwunmi Olaluwoye, who confirmed the accident, said a bus and a motorcycle were also consumed by the explosion.
Olaluwoye said contrary to the rumor that seven persons died, only five deaths were recorded.
He also reported that the accident happened around 8.15am, stated that the victims were burnt to death and the victims’ remains had been taken by their family members.
He said; “No vehicle rammed into the tanker. The tank detached from the lorry head and exploded. The number of persons involved is seven, out of which five died, while two were injured.
“The driver had driven away the head of the truck as of the time we got there. But we have allowed the police to take charge and handle that aspect.”
