Daphne Ekperi, Port Harcourt
Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has promised to compensate victims of fire that ravaged over 100 vehicles and claimed lives along Eleme axis of the East -West Road on Saturday.
Fubara gave the promise after visiting the scene of the disaster.
The Governor, who was accompanied by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu and Director of State Security Service on Saturday vowed to compensate victims of the incident.
The Governor said: “We are here to see for ourselves to get a first hand report of the incident that happened yesterday about 7:30pm that was caused by a tanker conveying PMS.
“I got the information through the MD of Indorama and I immediately alerted the security agencies to make sure they step in. From what we are seeing this morning it is not a pleasant situation.
“From what I am seeing a huge number of vehicles was destroyed,Souls lost .I have asked the security agencies to give us a full brief so that we can come into the situation fully by seeing how much we can support the families who are bereaved and how we can cushion the loss which is no fault of theirs.
“We all know the situation of this road. Is really really unfortunate .Most of our people when plying this road should ply with caution .I believe strongly that this situation would have been avoided if the motorists have behaved properly. It is late.This is situation we find ourselves. We will see how much we can control it.”
The Daily Crucible learnt further that incident occurred on Friday night when fire from a fuel-tanker devoured four persons, including a pregnant woman, and about 100 vehicles at the Eleme corridor of the East-West Road in Rivers State.
The tanker collided with another vehicle and burst into flames which spread to other tankers and many other vehicles trapped in the gridlock.
Rivers Police command confirmed tragedy, saying a pregnant woman and three others trapped in the gridlock were burnt to death.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP. Grace Iringe-Koko said over 70 vehicles and properties were also burnt by the inferno.
She said: “At approximately 8:30pm on Friday, April 26, 2024, the Rivers State Police Command received a distress call regarding a fire incident along East-West Road near Indorama Gate, Eleme, caused by a tanker explosion. Immediate action was taken by contacting the fire department and mobilizing operatives to the scene.
“Upon arrival, a joint operation of the Police and Firefighters successfully extinguished the fire by 10:30 p.m. However, over seventy cars were engulfed, and several individuals were trapped.
“Efforts led to the rescue of many, though the total casualties are yet to be determined. Regrettably, four individuals, including a pregnant woman, have been confirmed dead, and those injured are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals”.
