A man has been confirmed dead while another person sustained serious injuries after a petroleum tanker overturned and caught fire in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The incident occured opposite the Odukpani Local Government Secretariat, where the tanker, which was conveying petroleum products, reportedly overturned following a road traffic accident before bursting into flames.
The inferno spread to nearby shops, buildings and vehicles, according to the Cross River State Police Command.
The police initially said the tanker driver, who was reportedly trapped in the fire, was rescued and taken to a hospital for medical attention.
However, an update issued by the command later confirmed that one person had died while another sustained serious injuries and was receiving treatment.
The command’s spokesperson, Eitokpah Sunday on Sunday said police officers from the Odukpani Division were deployed to the scene to maintain security, protect residents and prevent further casualties.
He added that the Fire Service had been alerted to deploy personnel to contain the inferno.
The police urged residents and other members of the public to stay away from the immediate area to allow emergency responders unhindered access to the scene.
Further details on the cause of the accident and the extent of damage were not immediately available as of the time of filing this report.