Benue tanker explosion claims 4, 41 hospitalised

At least four persons were said to have lost their lives while 41 others were in critical condition at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), following an explosion of a tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit at Gbatse settlement, Ushongo local government area of the state. Blueprint gathered that the tanker which was conveying the product to Katsina Ala on Saturday, lost control after entering into a ditch, spilling the petrol in the process.

It was further leant from the locals that some of the residents, who rushed to the scene of the incident, attempted to scoop the fuel when a police man who came to the scene fi red a shot to disperse them, a situation which rather resulted to the explosion.

It was also gathered that many houses located near the scene of the explosion as well as motorcycles were not spared by the inferno. Gbatse is located in-between Akerior village and Ushongo town along Ugbema-Adikpo road. Some of the deceased families, who spoke to Blueprint revealed that the inferno which was sparked about 9:30 am burnt two bodies beyond recognition while those inflicted with severe burns were immediately rushed to the nearby Ostra – Gum Clinic in Ushongo town for primary care. Some of the victims who sustained serious burns were later moved to Benue State University Teaching Hospital on the directive of Governor Samuel Ortom for treatment.

A family member of one of the victims who gave his name as Terkaa, alleged that the fi re was caused by the gunshot fi red by one of the policemen who came to the scene. “After the accident, the tanker driver rushed to report at a police station in Ushongo town and that was when the police men from theremoved to the scene.

“When the incident happened some people were trying to scoop the petrol and a policeman who arrived the scene earlier, fi red two gun shots in the air to scare people away from scooping the wasted petrolwhen the tanker caught fi re and exploded causing the damage,” he noted. When Blueprint visited the Teaching Hospital in Makurdi yesterday not less than twelve victims of the unfortunate inferno were seen being attended to by a team of medical doctors. The Chief Medical Director, CMD of the hospital was also noticed taking the state Commissioner for Health and Human services, Dr. Cecilia Ojobo, round the Accident and Emergency ward for briefi ng

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