PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is deeply saddened by the loss of many lives caused by an explosion resulting from the leakage of fuel from a fallen tanker at Okobe, Rivers State yesterday.

President Jonathan is particularly distraught by the fact that once again, so many Nigerian lives have been lost in an avoidable fuel fire disaster.

The President has directed federal relief and health agencies to do everything possible to ensure that all those who survived the explosion with burns and injuries receive prompt and effective medical attention.

He conveys his sincerest condolences to the families of the victims, and the government and people of Rivers State.

Scores of people were burnt to death, following an explosion from a fallen tanker at Okobe in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers early on Thursday.

According to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the petrol-carrying tanker crashed with three other vehicles,11 km from Ahoada-Mbiama on the east-west road in Rivers.