A devastating explosion caused by a suspected Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanker has claimed the lives of two individuals in Rivers State. The incident occurred at the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover along the East-West Road, on the outskirts of Port Harcourt. The tanker, while attempting to negotiate the bypass at the flyover, toppled over and immediately burst into flames, crushing a saloon car with three occupants inside.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying scene, with two of the car’s occupants tragically trapped and unable to escape the inferno. The intense blast and resulting fire sent shockwaves through nearby residential areas, causing panic among the residents.
This incident comes just a month after a petrol-laden tanker exploded along the Eleme section of the East-West Road, also in Rivers State. That tragic event claimed the lives of five individuals, including a pregnant woman, and resulted in the destruction of over 60 cars.
According to reports, the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover connects to the Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, located in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that all three occupants of the vehicle were present when the tanker crashed and caught fire. She further stated that the state Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, the Divisional Police Officer, and herself visited the scene of the incident. The police have launched an investigation into the matter.
The explosion caused a significant traffic gridlock at the interchange, but the presence of the Federal Road Safety Corps and other security agencies helped divert traffic and manage the situation.
