Three die in Port Harcourt tanker fire
Three persons died yesterday when a tanker exploded in the Obiri-Ikwerre Flyover along the East-West Road in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The incident, which occurred about 9:30am involved a tanker carrying what is believed to be Liquefied Natural Gas, which fell over, crushed a vehicle and exploded while trying to navigate the roundabout.
“Yes, I can confirm that two persons died in the tanker fire. Myself and the Commissioner of Police are on the ground.
“The fire has been put out but the area is still dangerous because the gas is still leaking. So, motorists are advised to take alternative routes to avoid any further casualty,” she added.
The impact of the explosion was felt kilometres away as some of the residents said their windows were smashed while others reported feeling the vibrations.
At press time, men of the Fire Service were trying to put out the inferno while a crowd of onlookers gathered around with heavy security presence also observed.
There was, however, mild drama, when a suspected scavenger who tried to steal parts of the truck, was apprehended by the crowd who handed him over to the police.
The latest explosion is coming a month after a similar tanker explosion occurred along the Eleme axis of the same East-West Road which claimed four lives and destroyed over 60 vehicles.
