A tanker explosion has reportedly burned to death a pregnant woman, three children, and 16 others at Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The victims were reportedly scooping fuel from a petrol tanker that fell and spilled its contents after the driver lost control along Showboy Road, opposite Optima Filling Station in Ore, Sunday evening.
Speaking on the incident, a witness at the scene stated that they were inside the church when the tanker fell and spilled its contents on the road.
Identified as Cyriacus, the eyewitness said that despite being warned by the pastor in the church, many people rushed to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker.
According to him, “We were inside the church when we heard that tanker fall.
“The rain was also falling. People were taking fuel when a fire started after a spark from a phone.
“Three children died, and we have counted over 15 bodies. A pregnant woman who wanted to buy the fuel also died. The money is still with her.”
Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, the state Police Public Relations Officer, verified the incident and identified the victims as fuel scoopers when contacted.
She said, “They were scooping fuel from a tanker when the fire started. We have commenced an investigation into the matter.”
However, she claimed she had not yet received specifics about the victims of the tanker explosion.
