Enugu Fuel Tragedy: 15 Perish in Devastating Petrol Tanker Explosion
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, a tragic incident occurred along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Enugu State, Nigeria, where a petrol-laden tanker suffered brake failure, leading to a catastrophic explosion. The accident resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals, with several others sustaining injuries.
The tanker, transporting premium motor spirit, lost control due to brake failure, collided with multiple vehicles, and overturned, causing a massive fire that engulfed the area. The inferno consumed several vehicles and trapped numerous commuters.
Emergency responders, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), swiftly arrived at the scene to manage the situation. They rescued individuals with varying degrees of injuries and transported them to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The exact number of injured persons is still being determined.
Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, visited the accident site to assess the damage and expressed profound sadness over the tragic event. He extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and assured that the state government would take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Governor Mbah emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations and called on the FRSC to ensure that all tankers transporting flammable substances are equipped with anti-spill locks to prevent similar occurrences.
This incident highlights the critical importance of vehicle maintenance and adherence to road safety protocols, especially for vehicles transporting hazardous materials. Authorities are urged to implement and enforce stringent safety measures to safeguard lives and property on Nigeria’s roadways.
For more details, you can watch the following news report: