About twenty people, including a pregnant woman and three children were burnt to death when a fuel-laden tanker exploded along Showboy Road, opposite Optima filling station in Ore, Odigbo council area of Ondo state in the evening of Sunday, July 23, 2023.
It was gathered that the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle, leading to a crash. Following the accident, residents reportedly rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the tanker.
According to Vanguard, the explosion was triggered by a spark from the phone of one of the persons scooping fuel from the tanker.
While the exact number of casualties remains uncertain, it is reported that a pregnant woman, three children, and 16 others lost their lives in the horrific explosion.
According to an eyewitness named Cyriacus, they were inside the church when the tanker fell and spilled its contents on the road.
Despite the warnings from the church’s pastor, many people rushed to scoop fuel form the tanker, and sadly, met their demise.
His words,
“We were inside the church when we heard that tanker fell. The rain was also falling. People were taking fuel when fire started after a spark from a phone.
Three children died and we have counted over 15 bodies. A pregnant woman that wanted to buy the fuel also died. The money is still with her.”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident and described the victims as fuel scoopers.
Odunlami said that ” They were scooping fuel from a tanker when the fire started . We have commenced investigation into the matter,”
