Over 100 houses have been razed , while scores have been killed after a tanker conveying petrol exploded at Oshigbudu in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The tanker, laden with petrol, was travelling from Oweto and heading towards Otukpo when it lost its brakes and the driver lost control of the truck.
The truck ultimately had an accident, fell over, and spilled its content all over the road and into nearby houses at the Oshigbudu/Obagaji junction.
The content of the tanker was also said to have flowed into a nearby filling station as well, before a huge explosion occurred.
The suddenness of the explosion reportedly did not give many people in their houses the chance to run out.
The Vice Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. John Ikwulono told newsmen the accident occurred about noon.
He said it was yet unclear how many lives were lost in the incident, but they feared the worst considering that it was a Sunday and many people would be home when the explosion took place.
“We are calling on Non-Governmental Organizations, NGOs and public-spirited individuals, the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA and National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA to come to the aid of the people.
“The survivors are presently homeless and have lost all their property. Food will also be an issue for them because without a house how do you get food to eat. We are faced with a big challenge. The injured need help and the dead have to be evacuated without delay, so it is a very serious situation for us at the moment.
“I have already started seeing some of the burnt corpses and none of them can be identified,” the Vice-Chairman said.
There was said to be no help from fire service, the nearest being at Otukpo, and without a functional truck.
