Tanker explosion in Enugu kills 18, Atiku and Mbah express grief

A petrol tanker explosion along the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway claimed 18 lives yesterday, leaving several others injured. The incident, which occurred around 11:30 am, caused panic as another petrol tanker and six vehicles were also engulfed in the fire.

Witnesses reported that the explosion happened when a fuel-laden tanker lost control while navigating the hilly expressway, overturned, and burst into flames. The fire quickly spread to nearby vehicles, exacerbating the devastation. Rescue efforts were hampered by the intense blaze, leaving many victims 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 FRSC Sector Commander in Enugu, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, confirmed that 11 people died at the scene, while others were rushed to the hospital. He attributed the accident to a brake failure and commended the governor for his swift response and commitment to covering medical expenses for the injured.

The tragedy highlights the urgent need for stricter safety regulations and improved road infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.