Another tanker fire victim dies in Calabar

Another victim of Friday’s petrol tanker explosion in New Netim, on the outskirts of Calabar, has died at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

The victim died on Sunday. Two other injured victims had died on Saturday.

The Chief Medical Director, UCTH, Prof. Thomas Agan, told Southern City News on Sunday that some adult victims were brought to the hospital after the inferno.

He stated, “We have eight adults in the Accident and Emergency Ward. One died this morning at the men’s surgical ward. Seven are alive and in stable condition.

“There is one female in the female surgical ward as well as three children, but one of them left against medical advice. Out of the two remaining children, one is in the children’s surgical ward and the other is in the children emergency ward.”

Agan explained that those alive were in stable condition, adding, “Almost all the victims are peasants, who do not have the means to foot their medical bills. The hospital has exhausted its consumables.

“We are calling on the government and public-spirited individuals and agencies to come to our aid. Already, there is positive response. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has donated N100,000 to the UCTH.”

Dozens of people died on Friday while scooping fuel from a fallen petrol tanker following an explosion.

Initial figures put the death toll at about 60, while the police said only 12 persons died at the scene of the explosion, while 22 others suffered burns and were taken to the UCTH for treatment.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the incident, said, “Only 12 people died, while 22 were injured and were taken to hospital for treatment.”

Ugbo added that the victims were warned not to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker, but they did not heed the warning.

“Our men from the Odukpani Division cordoned off the area, but the people continued scooping petrol soon after which fire engulfed the area,” she added.

Eyewitnesses said soon after the petrol tanker fell, residents of the area ran to the scene with jerry cans and started scooping the product that had accumulated in a ditch by the roadside.

Eyewitnesses also confirmed that policemen from the Odukpani Division also tried to cordon off the area, but the people resisted and continued scooping the fuel until the tanker exploded.

The Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr John Inaku, did not respond to several calls to his mobile phone when our correspondent contacted him.