About six persons lost their lives on Thursday when a fully-loaded water tanker crushed them to death in Enugu.
It was gathered that the tanker lost control and rammed into a minibus conveying passengers, killing eight on the spot.
The driver of the tanker escaped while the tanker was set ablaze by enraged persons.
Passengers in other vehicles were said to have sustained several degrees of injuries.
In a visit to the scene of the incident, Governor of the state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, expressed sadness over the development.
The Governor, who was in the company of his deputy, Cecilia Ezeilo, further proceeded to Posh Hospital, New Haven, Enugu, to sympathise with the survivors, ensuring that they receive adequate medical attention.
He also pledged to pay their medical bills while ensuring that sufficient funds were available to the hospital to ensure the patients were adequately given the needed attention.
Meanwhile, the State’s police public relations officer, Daniel Ndukwe said that the state Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Lawal has ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Motor Traffic Unit of the command to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to him, “Preliminary investigation reveals that the Water Tanker, a Mercedes Benz vehicle with registration no: EDA 166 XB, which was thereafter set ablaze by an angry mob, suspectedly lost control due to brake failure, while descending the hill towards Nza Street by Bush Bar at the said location, and ran into parked tricycles.
“This resulted in the death of 6 persons whose lifeless bodies were rushed to the hospital by the Police and were confirmed dead by doctors on duty. Meanwhile, their corpses have been deposited in the mortuary for preservation; while three others who sustained injuries, were also moved to the hospital and are responding to treatment.”
