Port Harcourt, Rivers State – A tragic incident unfolded on Friday night in the Eleme section of the East-West Road, where at least four individuals were feared to have lost their lives due to a series of explosions. The chaos began when a tanker carrying petroleum products burst into flames, engulfing nearby vehicles in a devastating fire. The area, notorious for its heavy traffic, became a scene of horror and destruction as the explosions rattled the vicinity.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a deafening sound emanating from the Indorama Petrochemical Company premises, triggering panic and dismay among residents. One individual, known only as Vikko, recounted the terrifying moment when the explosions reverberated through the neighborhood, causing widespread alarm. The magnitude of the disaster was further emphasized by a broadcast journalist, Segun Owolabi, who grimly described the scene as he witnessed four charred bodies amidst a landscape of burning vehicles.
Owolabi’s harrowing account detailed the intensity of the blaze, attributing it to a collision between two vehicles that sparked a chain reaction of destruction. With over 20 vehicles incinerated and numerous individuals trapped in the chaos, the situation remained dire as onlookers braced for more potential casualties. Despite the valiant efforts of three fire-fighting trucks from the Indorama Petrochemical Company, the flames continued to rage, posing a significant challenge to containment.
As the crisis unfolded, a plea for assistance resonated throughout the affected area, urging neighboring companies to join the firefighting efforts and prevent further escalation of the disaster. The urgent call for security reinforcements and government intervention underscored the gravity of the situation, as authorities scrambled to bring the chaotic scene under control. With thick smoke billowing into the night sky, the relentless inferno served as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the swift onset of tragedy.
In the aftermath of the explosions, a sense of desperation gripped the region, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded along the vital East-West Road. The blockade, which disrupted travel to key destinations such as Akwa Ibom and Cross River, compounded the already grim toll exacted by the incident. Despite inquiries to the state police command for updates on the situation, clarity remained elusive as the night wore on, leaving many questions unanswered in the wake of the devastating explosions.