SURVIVOR'S ACCOUNT OF TANKER FIRE IN RIVERS STATE,ANOTHER CASE OF ILLITERACY BEING NIGERIA'S BIGGEST PROBLEM

According to a survivor,the explosion of the fuel tanker sounded like an earthquake.''Many of them could not come out alive.''The panic-stricken survivor of a petrol tanker fire that has reportedly claimed about 200 lives in Okobe,Rivers state has narrated.The survivor whose car was one vehicles involved in the crash that resulted in the fuel tanker tipping over,only lived to tell the story by abandoning his car and running for dear life before the tanker exploded.Click on read more below to continue....

 He further narrated that the tanker driver who escaped unhurt after the crash had warned the people not to go near the tanker but after he left the scene the people started scooping fuel from the tanker.The tanker exploded in a huge ball of fire and burnt the people to death,leaving only charred remains at the scene,some victims who ran into the bush with fire all over their bodies also died.Another eye-witness who narrowly escaped death said he was rushing to the scene to scoop fuel but before he got there,the tanker had exploded.

Those who were burnt beyond recognition were given a mass burial while some families have claimed the bodies of their relatives.About 65 people were rushed to hospitals with third degree burns.Officially,it has been reported that 95 people died but the people of the area have put the figure at about 200,mostly women and children from Okobe and neigbouring villages.