Tragedy struck the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State on Friday night as multiple explosions claimed the lives of at least four individuals and wreaked havoc on the bustling thoroughfare.
The catastrophic incident unfolded around 9:15 pm, near the Indorama Petrochemical Company along the Akpojo-Onne axis of the East-West Road, a vital artery linking critical national assets. Reports indicate that a tanker loaded with petroleum products triggered the explosions, engulfing nearby vehicles in flames within moments.
Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes of chaos and devastation, with one resident, Vikko, describing the deafening sound followed by billowing smoke and flames. Port Harcourt-based broadcast journalist Segun Owolabi provided a live update from the scene, painting a grim picture of the aftermath. Owolabi reported witnessing four charred bodies amidst the wreckage, with numerous vehicles, including trailers, reduced to ashes.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, although initial reports suggest a collision involving the tanker may have ignited the inferno. Despite the valiant efforts of three fire-fighting trucks from the Indorama Petrochemical company, the blaze continued to rage, threatening to escalate further.
With hundreds of travelers and commuters stranded due to road closures leading to Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and other destinations, urgent calls for assistance reverberated. Owolabi pleaded for additional support from neighboring companies, security agencies, and the Eleme Local Government Area chairman to contain the crisis and prevent further casualties.
As the situation unfolded, the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, pledged to investigate the incident. However, at the time of reporting, no official updates had been provided.