11 Burnt as Fuel Scooping Triggers Tanker Explosion in Edo

(Tanker Explosion. Photo by Buisinessday) 

Eleven people suffered burns after a petrol tanker exploded in Oluku, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The tanker had overturned earlier in the morning.

It exploded at about 1pm on Thursday while residents were scooping fuel from it.

Fuel spilled from the tanker into nearby drainage channels, where shops had been built at Oluku Market.

The fire spread to the shops and to vehicles caught in the chaos.

An eyewitness said he was among those scooping fuel and only escaped because a soldier warned him that the sunny weather and the crowd's activity could ignite a fire.

Moments later, the tanker burst into flames as people ran.

Two men from northern Nigeria who were right beneath the tanker were badly burnt.

Shops built over the drains were also destroyed.

The source said 10 people were first taken to the emergency unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH.

At UBTH, the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, led the emergency response across the accident and emergency and burns units to stabilise the injured.

Edo State Fire Service personnel were at the scene trying to put out the fire.

The number of deaths has not yet been confirmed.

Residents Rush to Scoop Fuel After a Tanker Falls This Morning at Oluku Market in Benin City, Edo State. https://t.co/Ar2WSbH3YT

— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) October 15, 2026