EKPOMA, Nigeria, May 16 (UPI) -- A bus collided with a stationary tanker truck in southern Nigeria, causing an explosion and fire that killed at least 50 people, authorities said.
Only five people survived the crash, which occurred Friday in Edo state, between the towns of Ekpoma and Irrua, the Nigerian newspaper Vanguard reported. The luxury bus was on its way from Sokoto to Onitsha.
The tanker was loaded with diesel fuel.
Most of the victims were burned beyond recognition and it was difficult to determine exactly how many people died, said Alhaji Zakari Nda, zonal commander of the Federal Roads Safety Commission in Benin.
However, Vanguard reported it was reliably informed at least 50 died, based on the passenger manifest plus those who were picked up along the route.
