NO fewer than 18 people, including three children have been killed as tragedy struck in Enugu yesterday as a petrol tanker exploded at the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
Thirteen others were rescued, according to a statement signed by the spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps, Olusegun Ogungbemide.
Ogungbemide attributed the accident to brake failure, adding that it involved 17 vehicles, including a petrol tanker, a water tanker, 15 cars, and a tricycle.
Eleven vehicles were burnt in the inferno while emergency responders managed to rescue 10 victims with varying degrees of injuries.
Three escaped unscathed while the remaining 18 victims were burnt beyond recognition.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed his sorrow over the tragedy in a statement via his X handle. “Oh dear, not again! My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all the victims of the fuel tanker explosion in Enugu State.
“May their souls find eternal rest,” he wrote. Atiku described the frequent tanker explosions as a national emergency and called on the government to establish an inquiry into the issue.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State visited the accident scene for an on-the-spot assessment and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
He directed immediate action to provide medical care to survivors and announced measures to prevent future occurrences, including enforcing anti-spill locks on tankers and repairing damaged sections of the federal road.
“This is a tragedy. Preliminary investigations suggest the tanker suffered a brake failure, leading to the spill and subsequent fire,” Mbah said. “We are taking steps to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
“This includes mandating anti-spill locks on tankers and repairing the federal road section immediately.”
The tragedy highlights the urgent need for stricter safety regulations and improved road infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
