70 die in accident on Onitsha–Enugu Highway

Umunya (Anambra) —   Seventy persons have been confirmed dead in an accident involving an articulated vehicle with petroleum products and eight other vehicles on the Onitsha-Enugu highway in Anambra.

The accident occurred at Odumodu Junction at Umunya in the Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
The articulated vehicle, filled with diesel fell, spilling its contents on the road.

A witness told newsmen that the driver and his conductor fled the scene and that some policemen came and cordoned off the spot.

“But a convoy of vehicles carrying politicians, after observing the traffic on the road, forced its way through the barricade while other vehicles followed suit.

“This was when the diesel caught fire and burnt eight vehicles, including a BMW car, five buses, and causing the death of 70 persons,’’  the witness said.

Fire fighters from the Anambra Fire Service were still battling the inferno, while ambulances were making efforts to deposit corpses in the mortuary as at the time of filing this report.

Confirming the accident, the Anambra Commissioner of Police, Mr Philemon Leha, expressed grief over the loss of lives. 11 persons who survived the accident were already receiving treatment at various hospitals at Umunya and Awka.