Two persons have died after two petroleum-laden tankers collided and went up in flames opposite the Odukpani Local Government Secretariat in Cross River State on Sunday.
The Cross River State Police Command said the crash between the two tankers resulted in a fire outbreak that engulfed nearby shops, buildings and vehicles, destroying property worth millions.
In a preliminary report, Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said the driver of one of the tankers was rescued alive and rushed to hospital.
However, in a later update, the Command confirmed that the driver died while receiving treatment, while his conductor died at the scene.
The identities of the victims were yet to be established at press time.
The Command had earlier announced that one person died and another was injured before confirming that both the driver and his conductor lost their lives.
The police said operatives from Odukpani Division were deployed to secure the area, maintain order and prevent further casualties, while the fire service was mobilised to put out the fire.
It noted that several shops and vehicles were affected, though the full extent of damage was yet to be determined.
The Command advised residents and motorists to stay clear of the area to allow emergency workers carry out rescue operations unhindered, assuring that more details would be released as investigation progresses.
The incident has again highlighted the dangers posed by fuel tanker crashes, especially in densely populated areas where spillage can quickly trigger large-scale infernos.
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