20 burnt to death scooping fuel Ore-Ondo fallen tanker accident

In a devastating incident that occurred on Sunday in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, no fewer than 20 individuals lost their lives in a horrifying fuel tanker accident.

The victims were reportedly scooping fuel from a petrol tanker that had overturned and spilt its content along the Benin-Ore-Sagamu Expressway.

According to an eyewitness, the fatal fire was ignited by a spark from a mobile phone held by one of the individuals who were attempting to scoop fuel from the tanker.

Among the victims were three children and a pregnant woman who had arrived at the scene with N100,000 to purchase fuel.

The eyewitness, who recounted the tragic incident, said, “We were inside the church when the tanker fell and spilt its contents on the road.

Shortly after it fell down and spilt fuel on the road, some persons rushed to the place to scoop fuel. At that time, the rain was falling.

Despite that, people still rushed there and started scooping fuel when the fire started after a spark from a phone.

At the scene, we counted about three children and over 15 bodies we can’t identify, and also a pregnant woman that wanted to buy fuel also died in the incident. They were burnt beyond recognition.”

Confirming the heartbreaking incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, described the victims as fuel scoopers and announced that an investigation into the matter has commenced.

The tragic accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by fuel-related incidents and the need for caution and adherence to safety measures to prevent such devastating consequences.