60 passengers dead after tanker truck strikes Nigerian bus station

ONITSHA, Nigeria, June 1 (UPI) -- The death toll has reached 60 in an accident in which an oil tanker truck struck a crowded bus station and burst into flame in southeastern Nigeria.

Witnesses said the driver seemed to lose control of the vehicle as it descended a hill Sunday, before crashing into the bus station in the city of Onitsha. Most of the victims, including children and a pregnant woman, were burned to death, police said.

At least 15 buses, as well as cars and motorcycles, were destroyed in the fire.

A witness named Okechuku told the Nigerian newspaper The Punch, "We learned that the tanker suffered a brake failure and the driver lost control. I think he tried to stop the vehicle with some of the barriers on the road, but unfortunately the tanker rammed into a building and fell." He added the tanker exploded into flame about 10 minutes after it crashed into the bus station building.

Anambra State Police Commissioner Hosea Karma said, "All the persons inside the buses (within the bus station), I think about 12 buses, were burnt beyond recognition. Scores of other victims, who were still alive, were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital."

Police spokesman Uchenna Ezeh added there was no sign of foul play or other situation other than an accident.