At least 28 persons have been confirmed dead and many others injured following a tanker explosion on Wednesday morning at the Felele axis of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

Over five vehicles were completely burnt in the road crash and eyewitnesses say some of the victims include students of Kogi Polytechnic.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kogi State, Idris Fika confirmed that at least 23 bodies had been pulled from the wreckage.

The incident occurred when a tanker loaded with petrol had brakes failure, Ali said.

The tanker fell on the road and immediately exploded, igniting at least two motorcycles, five cars, and three tricycles, the official said.

Yahaya Bello, the Governor of Kogi State said in a statement on Wednesday he was very sad to learn of the “tragic loss of lives, many vehicles, property, and other valuables” in the fire arising from the fuel tanker explosion.

He said this was one of “the greatest tragedies the state had witnessed in recent times.”  Bello urged the students of Kogi State Polytechnic to remain calm and peaceful, saying that he equally shared in their grief over the death of some of their colleagues in the disaster.