At least five lives were tragically lost on Sunday afternoon when a petrol tanker exploded along the Old Asaba-Lagos Road in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State.
The inferno also left significant damage, destroying properties worth millions of naira, including two banks, and injuring several individuals.
Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion was caused by a petrol tanker overturning while attempting to navigate a sharp turn near First Bank in Agbor. The mishap triggered a massive fire, spreading quickly to nearby structures.
> “The tanker fell while the driver was making a turn at the old Lagos/Asaba road,” an eyewitness recounted. “It was devastating to see the destruction. Five people have already been confirmed dead, and two banks are still engulfed in flames.”
The chaotic scene worsened due to the absence of timely intervention by emergency response teams. Witnesses lamented that no firefighters had arrived hours after the explosion, leaving the fire to continue raging.
> “We are yet to see firefighters at the scene, and the fire is still burning as I speak,” a distraught bystander said.
In addition to the five confirmed fatalities, many residents suffered injuries, and several buildings and vehicles in the area were severely damaged. Preliminary estimates suggest the financial loss runs into millions of naira.
This incident underscores the urgent need for improved emergency response systems in Nigeria. Authorities and disaster management agencies must prioritize preventive measures and swift intervention to mitigate the impact of such tragedies.
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