Red Cross, SEMA visit accident scene in Calabar, condoles family of deceased victims

A joint team comprising officials of the Nigerian Red Cross, NRC, and Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, have visited an accident scene in Calabar, Sunday morning to assess the level of damage.

Early Sunday morning, a petroleum tanker filled with product collided into a stationary truck and exploded, killing the driver, his conductor, burning nearby shops and parked vehicles.

Now, the director general of the SEMA, Efa Nyong, led a joint assessment team comprising officials of CR-SEMA and the Nigerian Red Cross Society to the scene.

The assessment team observed the impact of the fire on the surrounding shops and other property, while the Cross River State Fire Service continued efforts to completely put out the inferno.

The team was received and taken around the affected areas by the Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Council, Mr Etim Asido, who provided details of the incident and the extent of damage recorded.

Nyong sympathised with the families of the deceased and the injured, as well as business owners whose shops were affected by the fire.

He assured the affected persons that the State Government, through CR-SEMA and relevant stakeholders, would continue to assess the situation and explore appropriate interventions.

Speaking at the scene, Asido commended the Fire Service for its prompt response and appreciated the State Government and CR-SEMA for swiftly responding to the incident.

Following the assessment, the Odukpani Council Chairman led the team to an Apostolic Church close to the scene, where prayers of thanksgiving were offered for the situation having been brought under control and for the prevention of a more devastating outcome.