Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has commiserated with Ometan community in Okpe Local Government Area of the State on the death of seven indigenes of the community to a tanker fire accident on Friday morning.
According eye witnesses, the fire accident occurred around 10 am when the tanker laden with fuel fell on the road, after the tanker head detached while on motion in Ometan community along the Warri-Sapele road.
Speaking at the accident scene, Governor Oborevwori flanked by Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor and former Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa, empathised with the community on the unfortunate incident.
“I was just coming from the creeks where I went to inspect projects and there was no network. So, immediately I arrived the Navy jetty, I received a message from the Head of Personnel Management of Okpe Local Government Council informing me of the sad incident.
“On getting here I saw dead bodies and those who witnessed the unfortunate incident, said the tanker had an accident and exploded which led to the fire explosion.
“It is a very sad situation and I commiserate with the people of Ometan community and families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident,” Oborevwori said.
A breastfeeding mother and her three-month-old baby were among the eight persons confirmed dead in a petroleum tanker explosion.
The breastfeeding mother was roasted to death while trying to rescue her three-month-old baby who was trapped in the inferno.
Sources at the scene of the incident confirmed to NDT that a 16-year-old secondary schoolgirl and her mother who were trapped in their apartment were among the deceased.
Some witnesses blamed the incident on the tanker driver whom they accused of overspending and called on the Delta State Government to come to the rescue of property owners who lost their houses and other means of livelihood to the unfortunate incident.
A total of seven residential buildings, an oil and gas company complex and chains of makeshift buildings were razed by the explosion. Also destroyed were three vehicles and heavy duty truck.