Ondo was thrown into a state of mourning o Sunday, July 23 when a fuel tanker exploded claiming multiple lives in the process.

The fatal incident occurred in the commercial town of Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

According to Daily Post, residents of the area gathered at the scene of a crash tanker to scoop petrol when the incident occurred.

An eyewitness told the press that the fuel, which had spilled onto the road, was ignited by a spark emanating from a mobile phone held by one of the individuals involved in the fuel scooping.

The incident occurred along Showboy road, near a filling station in the area.

John, an okada rider in the vicinity, who gave harrowing details of the tragedy, disclosed that the inferno claimed the lives of over 15 individuals.

According to him, the victims who were roasted to death included three children and a pregnant woman.

“After the truck crashed, people began to rush to the scene to scoop fuel. It was in the process that the truck exploded.

“Three children died, and we have counted over 15 bodies. A pregnant woman who wanted to buy fuel also died,” he disclosed.

The spokesperson of the police in the state, Fumilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed the incident and described the victims as fuel scoopers.