By Austin Ogwuda
Several hours after the petrol tanker fire occurred at Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria, on Sunday, there are conflicting reports regarding the number of casualties as well as the actual cause of the accident.
Unfortunately, the Delta State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) whose responsibility it is, to officially inform the public with a categorical statement showing detailed breakdown relating to the said road mishap has kept mute.
On its part, the Delta State Police Command through its Spokesperson, Bright Edafe told the Townhall that only two persons lost their lives.
The same confirmation of two persons he sent to NewsNet Nigeria, who reportedly broke the news on Sunday afternoon.
However, Delta State governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori while commiserating with the victims announced that a total of 4 persons lost their lives, while in another breathe some amateur videos trending are quoting casualty figures far above what the Police and the Delta State governor have released.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary CPS Sir Festus Ahon said, “The diesel tanker reportedly suffered a brake failure and fell at a traffic light junction and exploded into a ball of fire that burnt four persons to death.
Three other persons suffered various degrees of injury in the explosion and the resultant inferno”.
The statement further said that “Governor Oborevwori directed the State Ministry of Health, the State Emergency Management Agency and other relevant authorities to expedite action by providing the much-needed immediate support to all victims of the incident”.
The initial report stated that the petrol tanker which was fully loaded with the product was trying to negotiate a U-turn leading to the fatal fall.
But the governor’s stated that it was due to break failure.
Also, while a national newspaper reported that two banks were engulfed in the inferno, some reports insist it was only the First Bank that was affected.
