It was a bloody July 1, as Several people were roasted to death after a tanker loaded with petroleum products exploded in Benue State. The tragedy occurred at Ahumbe village along Aliade/ Makurdi highway in Gwer East Local Government Area of the state at about 5 pm.
Although it could not yet be ascertained the exact number of those killed in the incident, some witnesses said the casualty figure may be over 50. According to a witness, Janet Arthur, the tanker which was conveying fuel from the eastern part of the country and heading towards Makurdi, the capital of the state, lost control while trying to dodge a pothole and fell off the road.
“As soon as it fell, many villagers from the area and other adjoining villages moved to the scene and started scooping fuel. As they were evacuating the fuel, they were hitting the metal tanker with another iron so as to have enough space to fetch the fuel more freely, suddenly, the tanker exploded and, in a twinkle of an eye, there was fire everywhere.
“Another vehicle, a bus with about 14 passengers ran into the incident and the entire passengers on board were all consumed by the explosion. The tanker exploded at the time that the bus was passing and all the passengers on the bus also got burnt.
“Many people were roasted beyond recognition. The sight is so gory and as I speak to you now, the fire is still on and people are running helter-skelter in confusion here.”