Tension gripped residents of Port Harcourt on Thursday after a diesel-laden tanker collapsed at Nkpolu Junction along the East-West Road.
According to initial reports, the accident occurred when the tanker lost control following a tire burst and fell into a roadside gutter. The incident caused panic in the area and resulted in significant damage to a smaller truck parked nearby.
Despite the presence of security operatives, residents were seen scooping diesel from the fallen tanker, raising fears of a potential fire outbreak. Efforts by personnel of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to control the crowd and secure the area were ongoing at the time of this report.
Authorities have since cordoned off the road and initiated the trans-loading of the fuel into another tanker to prevent further risk. No casualties have been reported so far.
