An unfortunate event involving a petrol tanker has caused the death of about 69 people. The petrol tanker filled with fuel lost control and bashed into a motor park.
Over 60 people have been burnt to death yesterday, when a tanker filled with petrol lost control and rammed into the Asaba Motor Park at Upper Iweka, Onitsha before exploding.
Confirmed reports say that 11 Commercial vehicles and 2 motorcycles were also burnt during the incident.
Professor Peter Kathy, Chairman Nigerian Red Cross Society said: -
'Presently, we have 69 people burnt to death and 30 casualties. “The dead have been evacuated to various mortuaries in Onitsha.
“The tanker driver lost his break while descending the hill from Boromeo and Army Barracks end of the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway towards Upper Iweka''.
''Instead of looking for a wide gutter to break his speed, he veered into a park, where commercial vehicles were taking on passengers. Most of the people that died were inside vehicles in the park.
“If the driver of the tanker were alive, he would have been arraigned in the court because it is multiple murder. He was reckless. He knew he was fully loaded with petrol and yet he decided to direct his vehicle into a motor park.
''He does not care for human lives. How can you veer into a park where you know buses were filled with people, when the road is wide enough for you to control your vehicle?''.