A petrol tanker exploded in Delta state on Sunday killing five people, police said.
Police spokesperson in the state Bright Edafe said the incident took place at Ugbenu in Ethiope West local government area of the state.
How it happened
He said the tanker was going towards Benin City when it fell in the morning and spilled its content.
He said people nearby try to take advantage and scoop the fuel away when an explosion occurred.
“Its content spilled into the nearby swamp and the spillage attracted a couple of youths who took advantage of the incident and started scooping fuel into jerry cans and other containers.
“While they were at it, an explosion erupted and the fire from the explosion engulfed the whole area.
“The fire claimed lives of five persons among the youths who had come to scoop fuel,” Edafe said, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
He said the fire destroyed buses, tankers, trailers, motorcycles, and other vehicles.
Background
Fuel truck accidents are common in Nigeria where petroleum products are often carried across the country by road as rail infrastructure is mostly outdate or inadequate.
In July, at least eight people were killed after a fuel truck exploded in Ondo as residents were trying to scoop petrol out of it.
The truck was involved in an accident which caused it to topple on its side before locals tried to siphon fuel from it.
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