The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that 18 people died on Saturday when a petrol tanker had an accident and exploded in Ugwu Onyeama, along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu State.
The FRSC Spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in a statement made available to Nigerian Panorama on Sunday, said the FRSC team also rescued 13 motorists from the inferno.
According to Ogungbemide: “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.”
The FRSC spokesman explained that the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, his Transport Commissioner, and the state Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, participated in the rescue operation.
Others who participated in the rescue mission were the FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of RS9 Enugu, the Sector Commander, Enugu and State Director of the State Security Service.
While attributing the cause of the crash to brake failure, the FRSC spokesperson added that 17 vehicles were involved in the incident.
“From the preliminary report received by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the tanker, which was loaded with premium motor spirit (petrol), experienced brake failure and the driver lost grip of the wheels before crashing onto the 17 vehicles, leading to a fire outbreak that left 11 vehicles burnt,” he stated.
Ogungbemide said the FRSC team swiftly diverted traffic to the inward Enugu lane to ensure ease of movement along the route, adding that evacuation of burnt vehicles was still ongoing.
He said Shehu Mohammed, the FRSC Corps Marshal, has urged motorists plying the road to exercise caution and use the alternative routes for safety and ease of vehicular movement.
Mohammed commiserated with families of the victims and wished the injured quick recovery.
Recall that on 18 January, 2025, a fuel tanker carrying roughly 60,000 litres of petrol, overturned at the Dikko Junction, near Suleja, Niger State, where after crashing, local residents gathered to collect spilled fuel.
The fuel promptly caused an explosion, which killed 98 people and injured 69 others, including at least 52 critically injured.
