A petrol tanker carrying 33,000 liters of premium motor spirit popularly known as fuel has fallen in Umuahia, spilling its contents.
The tanker which belongs to an independent petroleum marketer was trying to negotiate away from a tight corner at Mission Hill area of Umuahia when one of its front tyres skidded off the road and entered the gutter, causing the fall.
Immediately the tanker fell, its contents, according to an eye witness, Ikechukwu Eze, surged on the road and spilled into the gutter, sending the residents and other passengers fleeing for safety.
The accident which happened in front of Okigwe and ITC motor parks, created panic among the passengers as they jumped out from the vehicles they already boarded and ran away.
Thankfully, men of Abia State Fire Service arrived the scene just 9 minutes after the accident and immediately started spraying water on the tanker and the spilt products, to prevent explosion. Surprisingly, some bus and keke NAPAP riders were seen scoping fuel jettisoning every decency of safety. The accident which caused a long stretch of traffic hold up is happening just three weeks after a diesel tanker destroyed vehicles and shops in the Abia State capital.
