Fear and anxiety have gripped residents of Agbor, headquarters of Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, following the explosion of a petrol tanker along the Old Lagos–Asaba Road, barely three days after a deadly petrol tanker explosion at Oluku Market, near Benin City, Edo State that reportedly claimed several lives and left others injured.

The latest incident, which occurred on Sunday, reportedly followed a collision involving a petrol-laden tanker shortly before Okoh Junction in Agbor, triggering a massive fire that engulfed nearby vehicles and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

Although the full extent of the damage was yet to be established as of the time of filing this report, the incident sparked panic among residents, traders, motorists and other road users, amid fears over the possibility of casualties.

The cause of the collision, the events that triggered the fire and whether the explosion resulted in any fatalities were not immediately established.

The fire incident reportedly destroyed vehicles, properties worth millions of naira; but casualty figures uncertain.

The explosion has renewed concerns about the dangers posed by petroleum tanker accidents on major highways and the potential consequences for communities located along busy transport corridors.

The incident also came at a particularly troubling time, following reports of the deadly tanker explosion at Oluku Market in Edo State, where several people reportedly lost their lives while attempting to scoop fuel from an overturned tanker.

The proximity of the two incidents has heightened public anxiety over the recurring dangers associated with fuel tanker accidents, particularly when members of the public approach accident scenes in an attempt to collect spilled petroleum products.

Although the precise circumstances surrounding Sunday’s incident in Agbor had yet to be officially confirmed, the reported collision preceding the fire underscores the potentially devastating consequences of accidents involving vehicles transporting highly inflammable petroleum products.

Similarly, there was no confirmed official account of the number of vehicles affected, the exact value of properties destroyed or the extent of damage to surrounding businesses and other facilities.

However, Residents and road users were urged to exercise extreme caution around the affected area and avoid approaching the burning tanker or any location where petroleum products might have spilled.

Members of the public were also advised against attempting to scoop fuel from accident scenes, given the risk of sudden ignition, explosions and other life-threatening consequences.

Emergency responders are expected to assess the situation, establish the extent of the damage and determine whether anyone was killed or injured in the incident.

As investigations and emergency assessments continue, residents of Agbor and adjoining communities remain concerned about the human and material consequences of the incident.

Further details, including confirmed casualty figures, the extent of property losses and the response of relevant emergency agencies, were still being awaited as of the time of filing this report.