Palpable tension and fear of the unknown have continued to mount in Ughelli/Oleri community, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State following last Sunday tragedy of diesel leak along the road where scores of persons reportedly sustained serious injuries.
The incident, it was gathered, was also followed by a multiple accident on the road as a result of the spill from a leaking diesel tanker, leaving apart from the injured persons, six others allegedly dead.
Confirming the incident to journalists in Asaba on Monday, the commandant, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Random Kulven said “A tanker fell on the road carrying diesel between Ughelli town and Oteri road, and there was leakage resulting to spillage on the road. Many road users driving to church in the morning on Sunday ran into the ugly situation and were trapped, while six others were involved in a fatal accidents as a result of the slippery road and could not make it. A team of FRSC officials were on hand to help. Scores were rushed to the Ughelli Central Hospital where the seriously injured victims are currently undergoing treatment. It is unfortunate that the driver of the tanker escaped when an angry mob moved into the scene to lynch him.”
It was further gathered that the tanker driver allegedly lost control on the road while he slept off, thereby, leading to the crash and fall of the tanker loaded with diesel.
But the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Modi Ononye who briefed the journalists on the situation claimed that the victims were responding to treatment, regretting that the tragedy was caused by multiple accidents that was followed by the tanker diesel spill on the road.
He said “scores of the victims are admitted into Accident and Emergency Unit of the Ughelli Central Hospital, and the State Government might transfer them to FMC, Asaba because of the fill capacity of the victims, and the battle to provide them medical care, we are really worried and we do hope that the situation will not degenerates into something else”.
Those none of the injured scores had died, but a large number of them sustained hand and leg fracture, while others had serious bruises all over their bodies including their heads.
As at the time of this report, source said relations of the victims have besieged the Ughelli Central Hospital with prayer warriors, and calling God to intervene in the situation.