Thirteen people narrowly avoided death after a tanker carrying petrol exploded in Delta State.

On Sunday night, May 15, an explosion happened when a Toyota Sienna and a Hilux collided beside a petrol-laden tanker that had broken down near the Immigration crossroads along Ibusa Road in Asaba.

Before the crash, the reported broken down tanker, which was travelling towards Asaba, was said to be undergoing repairs without warning signs.

According to eyewitnesses, excessive speed caused the incident between the Sienna and the Hilux.

"Fire fighters from the state fire service battled tirelessly to put off the fire, but somehow, the fire increased in intensity on Monday morning, causing a heavy gridlock on the road,” an eyewitness said.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Mr. Udeme Eshiet, who confirmed the accident in Asaba, said the three vehicles were consumed in the explosion while 13 people in the vehicles were rescued without any injury.

Udeme lamented the reckless driving of motorists, even at night. 

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This was posted on August 1, 2010.