Six bystanders hurt after an oil tanker exploded in Palawan

Miami
June 2, 2008
Story: Six bystanders hurt after an oil tanker exploded in Palawan

An oil tanker bound to its oil depot in Puerto Princesa, Palawan exploded, but officials were quick to say the cause of explosion was due to mechanical fault of the tanker and not because of explosive devise.

Based on the investigation of the Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) received by the Palawan Provincial Police Office the incident occurred in Barangay San Pedro, Puerto Princesa, Palawan at around 9:00 am, Monday, June 2, 2008.

PO1 Joey Fabregas said, based on the report, the oil tanker was already empty that is why there were no fire when the tanker exploded. The tanker is owned by Chevron or Caltex.

On their explanation, the reason why it exploded is due to accumulated air inside the tanker and there were no air ventilation to release its air.

“But it is not the whole tanker that exploded, only the tail end portion of it. Maybe the air inside is looking for a space where it can release the pressure of it inside, because the tanker still have fumes inside even if it is empty,” explained by an investigator from EOD Palawan.

There are some houses in the side of the road where the incident happened. 6 people (3 females and 3 males) were injured sustaining minor bruises. On the six injured, a two year old girl were included.

According on the investigation, the oil tanker came from Brookes Point, located at the Southern part of Palawan. The tanker is about to go to their oil depot in Puerto Princesa to reload gasoline for the said tanker and be brought back to Brookes point.