MANY FEARED DEAD, SEVERAL INJURED AS PETROL TANKER EXPLODES IN BENIN

Petrol Tanker on Fire

By NaijaParrot October 16, 2026 

 BENIN CITY, EDO STATE — Several people are feared dead, while others have sustained serious burns after a petrol tanker overturned and exploded near Oluku Market along the Benin-Lagos Expressway in Edo State. The incident occurred on Thursday, October 15, triggering a massive fire that engulfed parts of the market and destroyed shops, vehicles and goods. The exact number of fatalities had not been officially confirmed in reports available as of Friday.

According to eyewitness accounts reported by Nigerian media, the tanker fell and spilled petrol onto the road and nearby drainage channels. Residents and passers-by reportedly gathered to scoop the spilled fuel before the situation escalated into a devastating inferno. A witness said a soldier warned people about the danger of collecting the fuel shortly before the tanker burst into flames. The fire spread rapidly, leaving victims with severe burns and causing extensive damage to nearby businesses and vehicles. 

 Several injured victims were taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for emergency treatment. Reports on the number of injured people differ: some accounts put the figure at 10, while others reported 11. Authorities had yet to provide a definitive casualty figure at the time of reporting. The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, was reported to have coordinated emergency efforts involving the accident and emergency and burns units. 

 The inferno reportedly ravaged sections of Oluku Market, destroying traders’ goods, shops and vehicles. The scale of the damage has left affected business owners and residents facing significant losses. Personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps, police, fire service and Edo State traffic management authorities were reported to have responded to the incident. The full extent of the destruction and the final casualty figures remained uncertain. 

 The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers of approaching fallen fuel tankers to collect spilled petrol. Such incidents can lead to devastating fires, particularly when fuel vapour comes into contact with an ignition source. Residents are advised to keep a safe distance from crashed tankers, avoid collecting spilled fuel and alert emergency responders immediately. NaijaParrot will continue to monitor developments as further verified information becomes available. 

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