Scores Burnt to Ashes in Plateau Tanker Explosion

At least 10 persons were burnt beyond recognition as others sustained injuries when a fuel-laden tanker exploded at Angwan Rogo, along Bauchi Road junction in Jos, Plateau State capital.

The tanker was said to have fallen on Thursday afternoon and immediately caught fire.

Alfred Alabo, spokesperson for Plateau Police Command, in a statement, said 10 yet-to-be-identified persons were burnt beyond recognition.

But, eyewitnesses gave contradictory accounts, saying over 20 persons were trapped in the inferno. According to them, 12 bodies were evacuated to the mortuary.

Mohammed Umar, a resident said: “I can tell you that a fully loaded bus that was offloading passengers was caught up in the fire, and none of the passengers came out alive. There were other similar vehicles affected.

There were many casualties, he said, adding: “There were nothing less than 20 persons who were burnt beyond recognition and reduced to ashes while 12 other bodies that can barely be recognized were brought out of the raging inferno.”

Deputy Secretary, Nigeria Aid Group, Jamatul Nasir Islam (JNI), Mallam Abdulkareem Umar Isa, who was part of the rescue and evacuation team said no fewer than 10 bodies were deposited at the mortuary of Plateau State Specialist Hospital.

He explained that the tanker driver lost control as a result of brake failure, forcing the tanker to fall at a T-junction, which led to the spillage.

Isa said seven vehicles, three tricycles and five motorcycles were burnt in the incident.

Alphonso Godwin, the Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Plateau Command, confirmed the incident but said the casualty figure could not be ascertained as hoodlums besieged the scene and attacked his men.

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”Our men were at the scene of the accident but we could not continue with the rescue operation due to the activities of the hoodlums that besieged the scene.

“The hoodlums burnt one of our vehicles and smashed the windscreen of the ambulance we took there while the driver escaped by a whisker. So we have to retreat,” he said.

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