Felix Omoh-Asun in Benin City
Scores of individuals have been feared useless, whereas 10 others have been reported to have sustained various levels of accidents on the scene of a fallen petrol tanker laden with gas.
The incident occurred at about 4 a.m. on Thursday at Oluku on the Benin-Lagos Road in Edo State. The petrol tanker was stated to have tried a u-turn close to Oluku market however fell spilled its contents onto the street.
Witnesses stated that shortly after the tanker fell, residents and different passers-by rushed to the scene and started scooping gas.
One of the witnesses stated individuals who arrived early on the scene joined in scooping earlier than safety operatives arrived and cordoned off the realm.
He stated the truck’s proprietor later introduced one other tanker to evacuate the remaining gas from the fallen car earlier than its explosion, leaving a number of victims burnt past recognition, whereas many others sustained various levels of accidents.
He stated 10 injured victims have been rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for medical consideration, whereas the corpses have been deposited on the hospital’s mortuary.
When THISDAY visited the UBTH, the administration was seen mobilising emergency companies to deal with these dropped at the hospital.
The Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, was seen main the emergency response group throughout the accident, emergency, and burns items to stabilise extreme casualties and minimise fatalities.
The Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Preye Ezekiel Bedford, stated FRSC official, Police, Fire Service and Edo State Traffic Management Agency have been on floor to manage visitors.
On the casualty, he stated he was nonetheless on the scene of incident and would get again.
Meanwhile, the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council expressed deep sorrow over the tragic explosion.
In an announcement issued by its Director of Media, John Mayaki, the council commiserated with households reportedly affected by the incident, notably those that might have misplaced family members, whereas praying for the speedy restoration of injured victims receiving remedy.
The council described the incident as heartbreaking and referred to as for pressing help for affected households and survivors.
“Our hearts exit to the households affected by this unlucky tragedy. We share in their grief and pray that Almighty God grants them the power to bear their losses.
“No family deserves to lose a loved one in such painful circumstances. No parent should have to bury a child, and no child should have to lose a parent to a preventable tragedy and no struggling market woman deserves to lose her wares,” Mayaki stated.
The council notably recommended the Chief Medical Director of the UBTH, Professor Ize-Iyamu, for her private coordination of the hospital’s emergency response following the explosion.
Mayaki described the CMD’s intervention for example of management throughout a public emergency.
“We commend Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, Chief Medical Director of UBTH, for rising to the event and personally coordinating the emergency medical response to this unlucky incident.
“Her intervention, alongside the medical doctors, nurses, emergency personnel and different hospital employees concerned in treating the victims, deserves public recognition and appreciation.
“At a time when lives are in danger, what issues most is the power of our establishments and their management to reply promptly, professionally and compassionately.
“We thank the management and staff of UBTH for their dedication to saving lives and caring for those affected.”
The marketing campaign council additionally expressed appreciation to firefighters and personnel of the hearth companies, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, emergency administration businesses, ambulance operators, volunteers and different responders concerned in rescue and emergency operations
