Matilda Omonaiye/
A catastrophic explosion shook Agbor, Delta State, at around 10am today when a fuel tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) somersaulted and erupted into flames.
The incident occurred in the bustling Garrage area, near a First Bank branch and a Mobil filling station, leaving many people burnt beyond recognition and reducing several houses and vehicles to ashes.
Eyewitnesses reported that the tanker lost control due to brake failure while attempting to turn on the busy Old Lagos/Asaba Road, a central hub for business activity and home to the popular Boji-Boji Owa Market.
The resulting explosion caused a massive fire that quickly engulfed the area, sending panicked residents and traders fleeing for safety.
Videos from the scene reveal a grim picture of destruction, with helpless bystanders struggling to contain the blaze before firefighters arrived.
Rescue workers later recovered multiple charred bodies, including that of a young woman, as the fire continued to rage.
“The flames spread so fast; there was no chance to save anything,” said an eyewitness, visibly shaken.
Several houses and vehicles were completely destroyed in the inferno, leaving survivors grappling with immense losses.
Authorities are yet to release an official casualty figure as emergency services work to assess the full extent of the damage.
The tragedy has plunged the community into mourning, with calls for improved road safety measures and stricter regulations for fuel transportation to prevent similar disasters.
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