AUCHI, EDO STATE – Commuters and residents of Auchi narrowly escaped a catastrophic loss of life on Thursday after a tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) overturned and subsequently exploded at the popular Winners Junction.
The incident, which has once again highlighted the deteriorating state of federal roads in Edo State, occurred when the driver of the heavy-duty vehicle lost control while navigating a particularly dilapidated portion of the highway.
A Narrow Escape
Speaking to a correspondent from Standarddailypress.com, an eyewitness who survived the blast described the moment of the accident as a “miracle.”
”We were in a hurry to cross the road because we knew the danger,” the survivor recounted. “The tanker fell because of the bad road in that particular spot. We managed to get across just minutes before the whole thing went up in flames. It was a miracle from God.”
The Danger of ‘Fuel Scooping
Despite the clear and present danger, the eyewitness reported a chilling scene immediately following the crash.
Before the explosion, several commercial motorbike riders, commonly known as Okada riders, were seen rushing toward the fallen vessel with jerrycans to fetch leaking fuel.
”Some greedy motorbike riders were busy fetching the fuel while we were panicking, trying to get away before any spark of light,” the witness said.
While the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed at the time of this report, the subsequent explosion sent a massive fireball into the sky, destroying the tanker and forcing onlookers to flee for their lives.
Infrastructure in Decay
The Winners Junction area has long been cited by locals as a “death trap” due to deep craters and uneven surfaces. Residents have repeatedly called on the government to intervene, noting that the spot has become a frequent site for accidents involving articulated vehicles.
This latest explosion serves as a grim reminder of the 2023 Jesse-like tragedies where “fuel scooping” led to mass fatalities. Authorities continue to warn the public to stay clear of fallen tankers, as the volatility of the cargo makes an explosion almost inevitable.
