Shocking footage shows the oil tanker exploding
(Picture: GB News)An oil tanker has exploded off the coast of the Nigerian coast sparking fears for the safety of the 10 men on board.
The Trinity Spirit, which is capable of carrying up to two million barrels of oil, exploded near the Ukpokiti oil field on Thursday morning.
In videos shared across social media, thick black smoke is seen spewing into the sky with part of the vessel submerged under water near the Escravos terminal, close to the River Niger delta.
The Management of Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd said they are prioritising the safety of the crew, although it is not clear if they have been found as of yet.
A statement said: “The cause of the explosion is currently being investigated and we are working with necessary parties to contain the situation.
“At this time there are no reported fatalities, but we can confirm that there were ten crew men on board the vessel prior to the incident and we are prioritising investigations with respect to their safety and security.
“We appreciate the assistance provided us by the Clean Nigeria Associates, the Chevron team operating in the nearby Escravos facility and our community stakeholders as well as fishermen, who have been of tremendous assistance since the incident happened.
“We have duly notified all relevant authorities and we appeal to the members of the public to stay away from the area while our Crisis Management Team continue to monitor the situation and update all stakeholders with new information as the investigation evolves.”
There has been no further statement from the owner of the tanker as of yet.
