A petrol tanker fire in Kwara State claimed the lives of 25 individuals and left 15 seriously injured on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at Peke village along the Oko-Olowo area on the Ilorin/Bode-Saadu/Jebba express road.
The accident reportedly involved a petrol tanker with registration number JJN 17 XW, a heavy-duty truck, and an 18-seater bus.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the petrol tanker, traveling from Niger State, collided head-on with a heavy-duty truck from Lagos State. The impact of the collision sparked a fire that swiftly engulfed both vehicles and also affected an 18-seater bus coming from Lagos.
Mr. Stephen Dawulung, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, confirmed the tragic incident, stating, “No fewer than 25 lives were lost while 15 others were seriously injured.” He promised to provide further details later.
Some of the victims’ bodies, as mentioned by Dawulung, have already been laid to rest by their grieving relatives.
The Kwara State Director of Fire Service, Mr. John Falade, also confirmed the incident. He reported that the fire service responded promptly to the fire at Peke village around 3:18 p.m. on Tuesday.
Despite the firefighters’ diligent efforts, 25 lives were lost, and around 15 people were rescued with injuries.
Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, Falade emphasized the importance of road users prioritizing safe driving practices. He urged drivers and other road users to consistently adhere to safety measures while driving.
