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A tanker laden with Diesel Friday allegedly killed seven passengers in a commercial bus heading to Douglas road, Owerri, Imo State.
An eye witness said the accident which occurred at the edge of the Otamiri River at about 6pm saw the tanker rammed into the small commercial bus with the passengers on board.
The source said the tanker which lost control hearing a blaring siren from a van belonging to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Owerri veered off the road before ramming into the mini bus.
According the eye witness, four passengers and the driver died on the spot while two other passengers that sustained serious injuries died later at the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Owerri.
The Imo, Abia Commander of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Evans Ugoh yesterday blamed the men of the Correctional Centre for the accident.
Ugoh who was there to assess the level of damage, alleged that the driver of the van conveying inmates back to their centre was driving recklessly, coupled with the blaring of siren and guns trotting by the men escorting the van.
He said the reckless driving and maneuvering might have scared the tanker driver to lose control and rammed into the commercial bus.
