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.

– Just In : Black Wednesday in Lokoja, Kogi State,as many feared dead Including Kogi State Polytechnic Students and some Primary School Pupils as Petrol tanker catches fire at Felele Area In Lokoja Traffic Gridlock. pic.twitter.com/iONzqgrzRV

— Postsubman (@Postsubman) September 23, 2020

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.”

See photos, videos and reactions below:

https://twitter.com/OchuRasheed/status/1308705215890284544?s=20

Fire Outburst at Felele, Lokoja. this morning. A very Black Wednesday over here😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/2KJfKwRkwW

— Heskey (@its_emilector) September 23, 2020

https://twitter.com/prince_cincin/status/1308680299593773063?s=20

Tanker caught fire and left many lifeless in Lokoja Kogi state at the early hours of tho morning #savelives pic.twitter.com/ssYU7yyQcL

— Prince Linus (@PrinceLinus25) September 23, 2020

https://twitter.com/Oma_igala1/status/1308719954821353472?s=20

GRAPHIC Video:

Fire Explosion at Lokoja 7am today.
Over 25 people dead including School Children 😭

Omggg!! This same Felele road every year 😭😭

May we never be victims of blood thirsty Roads before the end of the year🙏 pic.twitter.com/KmtEjeR6nR

— Tspices Kitchen (@Tspiceskitchen) September 23, 2020

I feel very sad putting this up here but it's now a yearly occurance in in lokoja expecially in Felele.
This happened today at Felele, lokoja Kogi state this morning.
I don't really know what to say but I think this has to stop.
Our government needs to look into this matter. pic.twitter.com/aNQXfAOhMs

— NOEL (@NoelChubby) September 23, 2020

https://twitter.com/tunerastafai/status/1308680727869812736?s=20

May God have mercy, this happened today in the early hours

Felele lokoja, Kogi state 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/z58aCad32F

— Abdulwaseau 🇳🇬 (@abdulwaseau) September 23, 2020

Meanwhile, this morning at Felele, Lokoja…. Tanker Explpsion wakes everyone up!! #wednesdaymorning # pic.twitter.com/zPK2yRONVM

— Lummy Dee🇬🇧🇳🇬 (@Dave_Lummy5) September 23, 2020

Someone should call Bello to come back to lokoja. He is not the FCT minister but Kogi state Governor with his office in lokoja. He should come home and attend to such emergency needs. Countless number of Kogites burnt to death,the Governor is in Abuja sending condolences messages

— Comr. Austin Okai (@Austinokai) September 23, 2020

10 people dead in a fire outbreak caused by a fuel tanker in Lokoja #lokojafire #lokoja pic.twitter.com/Y5c5v8rzVA

— TEAM DORATHY #BBNaija 💦😍 (@Dorathyfanpage_) September 23, 2020

https://twitter.com/TheVyralTrendz/status/1308702497566003201?s=20

BREAKING!!!

Petrol tanker explosion in Lokoja, several feared dead.

About 10 persons have died from a petrol tanker explosion in Lokoja the Kogi State Capital. Eyewitnesses say the incident occurred around 8:30am when the tanker lost control and rammed into oncoming vehicles. pic.twitter.com/QSYMo2uGQn

— RootsTv (@rootstvnigeria) September 23, 2020

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.