At least 12 people have been confirmed dead following a petrol tanker explosion in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, in a tragic incident that has left dozens injured and the community in shock.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the development on Thursday, with the State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, stating that emergency responders were swiftly deployed to the scene to manage the situation and prevent further casualties.
“Following the unfortunate incident, the Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO), Ogoja, and patrol teams were promptly mobilised to the scene to secure the area and manage traffic,” Sunday said in a telephone interview. “The scene was cordoned off to prevent further casualties, while efforts were made in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to rescue trapped victims and evacuate the injured to General Hospital, Ogoja, for medical attention.”
According to the police spokesperson, the explosion occurred during transloading operations involving the ill-fated tanker. The situation escalated after a fire broke out, prompting the deployment of additional reinforcements to contain the blaze and ensure public safety.
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“Twelve corpses were evacuated and released to appropriate authorities and families, including the Hausa Muslim community for burial in line with Islamic rites,” he added.
While official figures put the death toll at 12, sources within the area disclosed that about 38 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the explosion, which occurred on Wednesday. Some of the victims are currently receiving treatment at medical facilities in the area.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the tanker reportedly fell into a nearby river during the transloading process, igniting a fire that quickly spread and engulfed residents who had gathered at the scene.
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Unconfirmed reports also suggest that a soldier and a police officer were among those injured in the incident.
Authorities have since launched an investigation to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the explosion, with particular attention on the circumstances surrounding the transloading operation.
The incident adds to a growing list of deadly tanker explosions across the country, often linked to unsafe fuel handling practices and inadequate enforcement of safety regulations.
