A petrol-laden tanker exploded on Sunday morning along the Ihiala axis of the Onitsha–Owerri Road in Anambra State, killing two people instantly and leaving one other person injured.
The incident happened around 9:30 a.m., opposite the office of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), after the tanker reportedly collided with a car and rammed into a barricade. The impact caused the tanker to spill its fuel, which immediately triggered a massive fire outbreak.
Eyewitnesses said the tanker was moving at high speed before losing control and crashing.
One witness explained that the explosion occurred almost immediately after the crash, adding that the fire also affected a motorcycle that was riding behind the tanker.
“Immediately after the crash, the tanker exploded with a loud noise and caught fire. Two persons — the driver and his conductor — were burnt to death instantly, while the motorcycle rider sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital,” the witness said.
The explosion reportedly caused panic in the area due to its loud sound, while the fire quickly spread to nearby parts of the road, leading to heavy traffic congestion before emergency responders arrived to contain the situation.
Confirming the incident, the FRSC Sector Public Education Officer in Anambra State, Margaret Onabe, said the crash involved a commercial tanker without a registration number and an unregistered motorcycle.
She stated that three adult males were involved in the accident, with two fatalities recorded and one victim rescued with injuries.
“The probable cause of the crash was speed and loss of control. Two died, and one was rescued and taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala,” Onabe said.
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She added that FRSC officials contacted the fire service, and both agencies worked together to completely extinguish the fire.
Onabe also expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased and urged motorists to avoid speeding and remain alert while driving.
“Drive to stay alive; safety is everyone’s business,” she warned.
The incident is coming months after a similar tanker explosion was recorded in Ozubulu, Anambra State, in November 2025.
