Tragedy struck the Oshiri community in Onicha local government area of Ebonyi state when a water tanker crushed five school children of St Michael School Oshiri to death.
The accident, involving the tanker which belongs to C- Sagas project Nigeria limited, occurred at Onu Nworie Egu Oshiri.
The victims are from Amaokpara village, Oshiri.
The pupil were identified as Davis Nworie 6 years, Prosper Ogudu, 7 years, Tochukwu Nwankwo 6 years, Ada Igwe 7 years and three years old Peace Ifeanyichukwu, according to eyewitnesses were returning from school when the tragedy struck.
According to witnesses, the tanker driver had refused to stop after the accident, subsequently, youths of the community chased after and overtook the vehicle and allegedly lynched both the driver and the conductor at Onicha Igbeze, a nearby community after Oshiri.
The Ebonyi Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Loveth Odah, who confirmed the incident, said the children were subsequently confirmed dead by a doctor in a nearby hospital.
She said the body of the driver and the conductor were recovered and deposited at Onicha General Hospital but nobody has come forward to claim their remains.
She urged drivers to drive with care as the ember months get to the peak.
