By Desire Emmanuel
Details emerged on Thursday, December 18, on how a father, his daughter as well as 23 other persons suffered various degrees of injuries when a fully-loaded petrol tanker exploded after spilling its contents at a community in Edo State.
The incident occurred along the Auchi-Jattu Road in Auchi around 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday when the tanker lost control and fell, resulting in the spillage of its contents into an underground drainage system.
The spillage subsequently triggered multiple explosions at various points along the drainage channel, causing confusion and panic within the affected area.
A competent source close to the state government told Impact Nigeria News Online on Thursday that emergency officials, including the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society and military authorities in Auchi provided rescue operations and rushed 25 persons to various hospitals within Auchi and its environs.
It was gathered that at the state university teaching hospital, three male victims were admitted, including two with lacerations and one with a third-degree burn.
At Amazing Grace Clinic, Water Board area of the town, 12 victims, comprising ten males and two females, were treated. Eight of them were brought in with burns ranging from first to third degree, one was a case of shock, and three cases of lacerations.
At Unique Medical Centre, four male victims with lacerations were treated, stitched, and subsequently discharged.
At City Hospital, Warrake Road, two victims—a father and his daughter, were admitted with deep cuts, lacerations and minor burns.
At Winners Hospital, Olele Junction, four male victims were treated, including one with a third-degree burn, one with head injury and bleeding from the nostrils, and two others with minor bruises.
According to the source, the state government continues to monitor the situation in collaboration with emergency officials to ensure effective coordination, proper medical care for the injured, and timely response to any emerging needs.
