A middle aged man identified as Richard has been killed in an explosion while working in an empty Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker in Anambra, Southeast Nigeria.
Richard was a welder while the incident occurred in a mechanic workshop located at the toll gate area of Ogbunike in Ogbunike area of Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
Haruna Mohammed, a Superintendent of Police and Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra Command, confirmed that the deceased was welding on the empty tanker when suddenly the tanker exploded with a loud sound and threw him several meters away.
Mohammed gave the details of the truck as XA-740-CAL.
“The welder named Richard ‘m’ surname yet unknown was on top of an empty petrol Mack truck trying to weld the upper compartment, all of a sudden the tanker exploded and threw away the welder two hundred metres away from the truck leaving him unconscious” the police spokesman said in a statement.
“The victim was rushed to Iyi-Enu Hospital for treatment where he was confirmed dead by a medical Doctor, corpse was deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation while investigation is ongoing to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident please, “ he added.
HumAngle reports that at least one person died and three others injured when a similar explosion occurred at a mechanic workshop in Amawbia area of Awka the capital town in January 2020.
The explosion also ignited fire that burnt many vehicles.
Andrew Kumapayi, FRSC Sector Commander, who confirmed the January incident said the explosion was caused by welding repairs being carried out on the tanker.
Kumakpayi had advised that before repair works could be carried out on any petrol tanker, such vehicle should be taken to a certified mechanic to ensure there was no content left in it.
He said chemicals should be used to flush out remnants of petroleum products from the vehicles before any repair work commence.
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