10 die, scores injured as tanker rams into popular market in Ondo

Ten persons were reportedly killed in Owena, near Akure, the Ondo state capital on Wednesday when a petrol tanker rammed into a popular market in the town.Scores were also said to be injured and receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.
Eyewitness said at the scene of the accident that the petrol tanker belonging to Total Petroleum Company was coming from Ilesa end of the Akure/Ilesa road when the accident happened.
It was gathered that the petrol tanker lost its break a few meters to Owena market and eventually rammed into the town’s market situated along Ilesa/Akure express road.
Some of the victims of the road accident were said to be traders, artisans and drivers who parked their vehicles by the roadside.
The victims of the accident were rushed to a hospital in Akure, where some of them were confirmed dead, while those who sustained injuries were said to be receiving medical treatment at the hospital.
However, the debris caused by the accident and the petrol tanker were still on the road as at press time, while efforts were on by drivers in the town to move it to avoid gridlock.
It was however not certain whether or not the driver of the petrol tanker was arrested by the Police, who it was gathered maintained orderliness at the scene of the accident.
The Head of Operations of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Malomo could not be reached for comments as calls put across to his mobile phones were rejected.