FEMA blames CNG tanker for explosion
An unconfirmed number of persons were last night feared dead with many others sustaining various degrees of injuries following a massive explosion that occurred around the Karu bridge on the Abuja-Keffi expressway, cutting off the ever-busy road in the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident occurred after a petrol-laden tanker burst into flames, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky and causing widespread panic as motorists and other road users scampered for safety during the evening rush hour.
Several explosions followed the first burst of fire causing serious panic. The fire destroyed at least 30 vehicles and prompted a significant emergency response. The explosion occurred when the tanker lost control and crashed on the bridge, leading to a fire that rapidly spread to nearby vehicles.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as motorists and passengers attempted to flee the area to avoid the advancing flames.
It was gathered that emergency responders were on hand to offer rescue services. Personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies were also at the scene, working to contain the situation. As at press time, by 8.30pm, vehicles were said to have clogged both directions of the expressway, unable to move.
MEANWHILE, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has revealed that a catastrophic explosion from a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tanker was the cause of the devastating motor accident that occurred on Karu Bridge, between Kugbo and Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday.
According to the Head of Forecasting Response and Mitigation division of FEMA, Mark Nyam, the accident occurred when the driver of the CNG truck lost control on the bridge there by running into other motorists and leading to an explosion.
A statement by the Head, Public Affairs, FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Nkechi Isa, said emergency responders are currently battling to rescue victims of the accident.
There are no official confirmation of casualties but gory video and pictures are already flooding social media space as of Wednesday night.
The statement disclosed that “Victims of the incident are right now been taken to the State House Clinic.
“This is because the Asokoro Hospital and the National Hospital can no longer accommodate victims of the incident”.
Meanwhile, an eyewitness has recounted how he cheated death.
Narrating his encounter on Facebook, Tule Gemanen said: “I was inside one of the vehicles, only God that saved me. I saw death today, many people died and cars burn into ashes.
“The tanker driver was on same holdup with us when the tanker goes on flames, he jumped out of the tanker, then it fell and exploded. The car I entered burnt into ashes too. The devastating effect was on the higher level”.
