Many Feared Dead Including School Children As Petrol Tanker Explodes In Lokoja, Kogi [Photos/Video]

Several people, including school children, were on Wednesday morning killed as a petrol tanker exploded in Felele, along the Lokoja-Abuja highway.

The victims of the tanker explosion, which occured around 8.30am, close to the GT plaza included school children and students of the nearby Kogi State Polytechnic (KSP).

It was gathered the tanker ran into another vehicle and exploded on impact, close to the GT Plaza, a fast food outlet which also serves as park for interstate private commercial vehicles. The situation was worsened as other oncoming vehicles ran into the inferno.

Officials of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) were forced to temporarily shut the road to avoid serious further damage. Fire fighters are currently on ground controlling the situation.

Onogwu Muhammed, chief press secretary to Governor Yahaya Bello, said the state governor expressed shock over the explosion which he described as the greatest tragedy the state has witnessed in recent times.

Bello condoled with families of the victims. He also asked students of the state polytechnic to remain calm and peaceful.

“Governor Bello is very sad to learn of the tragic loss of lives, many vehicles, property and other valuables in the petrol tanker fire while expressing his deepest condolences to the family of those affected by the ugly occurrence,” the statement read.

“He said this is sadly the greatest tragedies the state has witnessed in recent times while describing the unfortunate accident as a sad development and shares the feeling of those who lost their loves ones in this incident.

“The Governor also urged the students of Kogi State Polytechnic to remain calm and peaceful, stating that he equally shared in their grieving moment over the death of some of their colleagues in the disaster.”

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KanyiDaily had also reported how a fuel tanker fell into a ditch and spilled its contents, resulting in an explosion which killed many people at Upper-Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State.