More than 37 persons perished in the Monday’s tanker explosion in Ahumbe village, Gwer East local government area of Benue State, Mr. Aliyu Baba, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC of the State Command said.
Speaking to newsmen in his office in Makurdi on Tuesday, Baba said the number could be more as 101 casualties with various degrees of injuries, were evacuated from the scene of the incident and taken to eight hospitals in the state for medical attention.
Recall that a tanker carrying fuel exploded on Monday evening at Ahumbe village along Aliade–Makurdi Highway in Gwer East of the state after it skidded off the road and fell.
Eye-witnesses said the tanker explosion occurred twice. Following the first explosion, villagers had gathered to lend helping hand to the victims when the second one occurred leading to the high number of casualties including travelers and passers-by.
The Sector Commander also stated that people who were taking pictures to post on the social media and two firemen who had gone to the scene to put out the fire were also caught in the second explosion.
He said his men and the Police were immediately deployed to clear the heavy traffic, while 35 dead bodies were removed from the scene to the mortuary as at Monday evening.
At the time the Next Edition visited the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, on Tuesday, more victims who were referred from other hospitals were still being brought in by their relatives.
Speaking with newsmen, Chief Medical Director of BSUTH, Prof Terrumun Swende, said all the victims being treated in the hospital sustained more than 75 degree burns.
He said “Monday evening, we started receiving victims of the fire incident between Makurdi and Aliade. We have received up to 10 patients and one of the victims died early hours of today (Tuesday).
“All of them came in in very critical condition and the least degrees of burns was 75 percent.
“A good number of them have what we call inhilational injuries and are kept in the Intensive Care Unit, ICU, and our surgeons and team have long swung into action.”
Dr Swende said the hospital is working with international organizations like the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, state government and others to care for the victims.
He said because of the high number of casualties, other victims were taken to the Airforce Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Makurdi, General Hospital Aliade and St. Vincent Hospital.
“As time goes on, the most critical ones will be moved here so that they can get the attention they deserve,” he said.
He said the hospital has deployed all resources available to caring for the victims while hospital staff have been on their toes since Monday evening to ensure the situation is salvaged.
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom has expressed deep sadness over the loss of many lives in the tanker explosion in the state.
Ortom, who described the incident as painful and devastating consoled families of those who lost their lives in the inferno and prayed God to grant them eternal rest.
The Governor in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase assured survivors that State Government will assist in payment of their medical bills.
