A devastating tanker explosion occurred on Saturday at the Ugwu Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha highway. It resulted in the death of 18 people, including children, and left 13 others rescued in a fire-related accident.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed this in a statement signed and released by its spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide.
The crash, which occurred at about 12:30pm, was attributed to the brake failure of the petrol tanker, leading to a collision and a massive fire outbreak.
This happened a week after no fewer than 50 people lost their lives. At the same time, many others sustained various degrees of injury while trying to scoop fuel after a petrol tanker spilt its contents on the tarred road along Dikko-Maje Road in the Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.
Eleven vehicles were burnt in the inferno, while 31 people were caught up in the chaos. Emergency responders managed to rescue 10 victims with varying degrees of injuries, while three escaped unscathed. Sadly, the remaining 18 victims were burnt beyond recognition.
“A total of 31 people were involved in the crash. Ten were rescued with different degrees of injuries, while three were rescued unharmed. Unfortunately, the 18 remaining victims were burnt beyond recognition.
“From the preliminary report received by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the tanker, which was loaded with premium motor spirit, experienced brake failure, and the driver lost grip of the wheels before crashing into the 17 vehicles, leading to a fire outbreak that left 11 vehicles burnt,” the statement reads.
Eyewitnesses stated that no fewer than four private cars, four committee buses, and two other tankers were engulfed in flames, with families and children reportedly burnt to ashes in the inferno.
They said the volume of flames could not allow access into the area.
My best friend’s little brothers are still missing. I don’t know if the siblings were among them.