No fewer than 69 persons reportedly lost their lives on Sunday evening in Onitsha as a result of fire incident arising from a fallen tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol.
The tragedy occured when the trailer lost control along Onitsha Enugu express way and rammed into a Motor Park at Upper Iweka in Onitsha killing innocent people and destroying property.
The Governor of the state, His Excellency, Willie Obiano could not hold down tears when he visited the site of the accident. He consoled the families of the bereaved, asking them to take heart, while pledging the government’s support for those who sustained injuries and are being treated at different hospitals.
The chairman of The Nigerian Red Cross Society in the state, Prof. Peter Emeka, disclosed that 69 persons were comfirmed dead, 30 injured and receiving treatment at different hospitals. According to him the remains of the 69 burnt bodies have been transferred to various mortuaries in Onitsha.
