At least 15 people, including three children, lost their lives on Saturday morning when a petrol tanker exploded along the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
The explosion, which occurred around 11:30 a.m., sparked widespread panic and destroyed another petrol tanker, along with six other vehicles. Eyewitnesses reported that the tragic incident began when a fuel-laden tanker overturned while navigating the busy and hilly expressway.
"The blast was devastating," said an eyewitness. "The fire spread quickly, engulfing another truck and several vehicles behind it, leaving no chance for rescue efforts."
Many victims, reportedly burnt beyond recognition, are believed to have been occupants of the vehicles caught in the inferno. Some individuals attempting to flee the scene were overtaken by the raging fire.
Efforts to rescue survivors were hindered by the intensity of the fire, which made it nearly impossible for bystanders to approach the scene.
Speaking from the scene of the tragedy, Franklin Agbakoba Onyekwere, the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Enugu, said, "I am currently at the scene and still in the process of gathering full details."
This heartbreaking incident underscores the dangers of tanker accidents on Nigeria’s busy highways and raises concerns about safety measures to prevent such occurrences.
