Two persons have been confirmed dead after a tanker suspected to be carrying Liquefied Natural Gas (LPG) exploded at the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover along the East-West on the outskirts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
It was gathered that the explosion occurred at about 9:25am after the tanker skidded off while trying to negotiate the bypass on the flyover and went up in flames, trapping a salon car with two occupants.
An eyewitness said, “My office is close by. It was a terrible sight. Two persons inside a salon car parked nearby were bunt beyond recognition. The tanker was trying to negotiate through the flyover when it fell and exploded.”
The Obiri-Kwere flyover leads to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
Another eyewitness, who simply gave his name as Lucky, said the sound of the explosion spread to residential areas near the flyover and caused panic.
He stated, “It was about past 9am when I was driving towards the University of Port Harcourt that I saw the flames.
“I quickly made a U-turn because I was driving. Many vehicles started making a detour to avoid the scene of the fire, some where even videoing the fire with their phones.”
The spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and the casualty figure.
She said, “Yes, I can confirm that two persons died in the tanker fire. Myself and the Commissioner of Police are on the ground as I speak to you. The fire has been put out but the area is till dangerous because the gas is still licking.
“So motorists are advised to take alternative routes to avoid any further casualty. Investigation is o going.”