Police confirm nine dead in Calabar tank farm explosion

The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed that nine people died in a fire outbreak that occurred at Linc Oil and Gas tank farm at around on Sunday morning.
Mr Hafiz Inuwa, the State Commissioner of police, confirmed  the figure.
Inuwa added that several other persons, who sustained injuries, were currently being treated in one of the hospitals in Calabar.
According to him, the manager of the depot is yet to brief the police on what led to the explosion.
“Up until now, nobody has come out to tell us that this is what caused the fire outbreak.
“We have gone round, we have done what we can do but investigation will later reveal what actually led to the explosion.
“For now, nine people are confirmed dead and many others who sustained different burns are currently receiving treatment in one of the hospitals around town’’, he said.
Officials from the Cross State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), were on ground to assess the extent of damages caused by the explosion.
The fire outbreak also affected the high tension cable which connected  depot’s electricity  transformer, while two vehicles and other important equipment were burnt to ashes.
The depot Manager  refused to speak with newsmen, saying that he was not authorised to speak at the moment.