The Federal Road Safety Corps has denied that over 70 people died in the tanker tragedy that occurred in Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra.

The Corp Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, on Tuesday in his Abuja office told journalists that contrary to reports in the media, only 46 casualties were recorded from the incident that occurred on Sunday. He said five people were also injured at the crash.

“It is unfortunate, first of all, let me commiserate with the families of the deceased. As at today, the record of the bodies –burnt bodies – we have taken to the mortuary is 46 not 70 as widely reported,” Mr. Oyeyemi said.

Mr. Oyeyemi said the crash which was as a result of brake failure occurred at about 2: 45 p.m. and was reported 10 minutes after while the FRSC responded at 3: 00 p.m.

Twenty vehicles, one tricycle and three motorcycles, were affected during the crash, he said.

The tanker heavy laden with fuel ran into a motor park in Onitsha and exploded. Mr. Oyeyemi, however, said all the burnt vehicles have been cleared out of the crash site.

Mr. Oyeyemi said another tanker fell around Iyana Ipaja on Monday. No explosion and no life was lost, however, four shops and six houses were burnt because someone was frying in the area.

He said officials of the corps were on ground at the scene as the Ikeja unit of the FRSC took part in the rescue operation.