Delta tanker explosion: FRSC, police confirm 3 deaths, 15 Survivors

From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

Operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC), Delta State Police Command on Sunday in Asaba Confirmed three deaths at the recent tanker explosion which occurred between Ologbo and Koko Communities, disclosing that over fifteen Survivors of the dastardly incident were currently battling for life at various hospitals in Delta and Edo states.
While urging the media to always cross check its stories before going to the Press, the Commands debunked claims of scores of cars and persons roasted in the inferno, adding that only four vehicles were burnt during the incident.
FRSC sector Commander, Goodluck Alphonsus who spoke to Journalists at a media conference said that” three persons were burnt to death and not scores as reported by overzealous Journalists who will not cross check facts before rushing to the Press and four vehicles were burnt also as a result of the incident and we don’t know where Journalists got scores they reported please? “
While the Police through its Public Relations Officer ( PPRO) in the state, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya Confirmed that the tanker explosion claimed three lives and not scores as reported by the media, adding” there was also three motorcycles that were burnt and unspecified number of persons sustained injuries with degrees of burnt, so where are the scores? “
Sources at the scene of the accident said that the fuel truck had fallen at a spot few meters away from the popular Koko junction at about 8am on the fateful day while trying to avoid a pothole on Benin- Sapele road when the unexpected happened, adding that those who died on the spot were evacuated from the scene and deposited at the mortuary in Benin and Sapele mortuaries.
Meanwhile, fifteen critically injured victims of the fire disaster, reports have indicated, are currently in critical condition battling for life at the Oghara Teaching Hospital with severe burns on their bodies
Medical personnel at the Teaching Hospital Oghara DELSUTH who spoke to Journalists on condition of anonymity described the situation of the admitted victims as pathetic, saying that with the degree of their burns, it might be difficult for their survival adding that their situation had remained critical even with intensive care for them.
But a driver, Afoke Odiri who spoke to our Correspondent on telephone said that the deaths would have been avoided if the victims had listened to earlier warning not to scoop fuel after the tanker fell, adding that” the mishap occurred when the truck driver tried to avoid bad spot on the road, unfortunately, he fell during the process and exploded, the road is so bad that soon the area will be cut off from Edo state, We have repeatedly called on the Federal Government to effect repairs on this road but not response till now, if this road was in good shape, this will not happen”