The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has confirmed the death of 10 persons in the truck explosion which occurred at Karu bridge along Abuja- Keffi Expressway on Wednesday night .
According to the Head Forecasting Response and Mitigation of FEMD, Mark Nyam, eight bodies have been deposited at the Karu Hospital Morgue, one at the Asokoro District Hospital Morgue and another dropped at the National Hospital.
Head, Public Affairs of FEMD, Nkechi Isa, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said about 30 persons suffered various degrees of burns.
“Some of the victims have been referred to Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi and Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja for proper care.
“About 10 vehicles were burnt during the incident.”
The Ag. Director General of FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, in a statement shortly after a visit to the incident scene, appealed to motorists to observe traffic rules and regulations.
He cautioned against reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and poor maintenance of vehicles.
Mohammed appealed to FCT residents to always use the 112 emergency toll free number in the event of an emergency,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) has called on Nigerians, particularly FCT residents to donate blood to support victims of the tanker explosion.
The NBSA, in a statement signed by its Director General, Prof Saleh Yuguda, said the incident resulted in multiple casualties, many of whom required immediate blood transfusions.
Yuguda stated that hospitals and emergency response teams are working tirelessly to save lives, but an adequate blood supply is crucial to their efforts.
According to NEMA, the incident involved a Compressed Natural Gas truck that lost control and crashed into another truck along AYA-Karu expressway on Wednesday at about 7:00pm.
NEMA also said six fatalities were recorded, against 10 disclosed by FEMD, while 18 vehicles were burnt.
It added that the injured victims were taken to National Hospital, State House Clinic, Karu General Hospital, and Customs Clinic, Karu for medical attention.
NBSA said: “We urge all eligible donors to visit designated blood donation centres and hospitals across the FCT to make voluntary blood donations.
“Your generosity can make the difference between life and death for those in critical condition.”
“For further inquiries and directions to the nearest donation centres, please contact the National Blood Service Agency at 39 Abidjan Street, Wuse or call 07088370905. Together, we can save lives.”
Also, wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has urged drivers of articulated vehicles, to ensure their road worthiness before putting them on the road to avert recurring incidents of accidents.
Speaking yesterday, she said: “I commiserate with the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, the families of the deceased and injured, the residents, affected business and property owners and the people of Abuja.
“I urge owners and drivers of vehicles, especially articulated vehicles to ensure the road worthiness and good condition of their vehicles before putting them on the road to avert a recurrence of such incidents.”
The wife of the President prayed to God to grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and their family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said six died in the incident, while 25 others were injured in the accident.
Four of the dead people were burnt beyond recognition in the accident following a tanker explosion, which occurred around the Karu bridge on the Abuja-Keffi expressway, Wednesday night.
Giving details, the Corps Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Olusegun Ogungbemide, said the crash involved 18 vehicles, including two articulated vehicles, two buses, one SUV and 11 cars.
Ogungbemide said the vehicles were severely damaged, with some of them engulfed in flames.
