By Opeyemi Adelakun
One person has been confirmed dead and another seriously injured after a petroleum tanker overturned and exploded into flames opposite the Odukpani Local Government Secretariat in Cross River State on Sunday.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the day, also destroyed several shops and vehicles, while the tanker driver was rescued and taken to hospital for treatment.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the tanker was conveying petroleum products when it was involved in a road accident and overturned, triggering a fire that spread to nearby shops and buildings.
“Preliminary information available to the Command indicates that a tanker truck conveying petroleum product was involved in a road traffic accident and overturned in the process, resulting in the fire which has spread to nearby shops and buildings,” he said.
Eitokpah said the driver, who was reportedly trapped in the flames, was rescued and taken to a medical facility.
The police spokesman confirmed that one person had died, while another sustained serious injuries. Several shops and vehicles were also affected.
He said officers from the Odukpani Divisional Police Headquarters had been deployed to the scene to maintain order, secure the area and prevent further harm.
The police also alerted the Fire Service to deploy personnel to contain the inferno.
The Command urged residents and passers-by to avoid the affected area to enable emergency responders to carry out their operations without obstruction.
It added that further information would be provided as verified details emerged.
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