TRAGEDY: 18 Dead in Petrol Tanker Explosion in Enugu

Tanker explosion

A tragic petrol tanker explosion claimed the lives of 18 people on Saturday along the Ugwu Onyeama stretch of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Enugu State, southeastern Nigeria.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident, which occurred around 11 a.m. Reports indicate that the tanker, descending a hilly section of the road, lost control and collided with other vehicles.

Eyewitness Account

Sunday Ugwumba, a commercial driver, described the incident as catastrophic. He stated that the tanker spilled petrol, igniting a fire that engulfed nearby vehicles and their occupants.

“All the vehicles in front and behind the tanker, as well as the people inside them, were consumed by the fire,” he said.

Official Statement

According to Olusegun Ogungbemide, the FRSC national spokesperson, a total of 31 people were involved in the crash. Thirteen individuals were rescued, ten of whom sustained injuries, while three escaped unhurt. Sadly, the remaining 18 victims were burnt beyond recognition.

The explosion also destroyed 17 vehicles, with brake failure identified as the cause of the crash.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, along with top officials, including the State Commissioner for Transport, the State Commissioner of Police, and FRSC representatives, joined the rescue operations.

Efforts to clear the debris and ease traffic along the route are ongoing, with traffic diverted to alternative lanes.

Frequent Crashes in the Area

The Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway has been the site of numerous accidents in recent years, often attributed to the poor state of one lane of the road.

The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, urged road users to exercise caution and use alternative routes where possible. He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a swift recovery.

This incident adds to the alarming number of tanker-related crashes across Nigeria, which have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.