6 dead as fuel tanker explodes in Abuja

By Clement Adeyi, Abuja

A fully loaded fuel tanker exploded at Karu Bridge, near Nyanya Market, Abuja, on Wednesday evening.

The explosion, which occurred at about 6:58 p.m., left six people dead at a Karu hospital, while an unspecified number of victims were burnt beyond recognition and several others sustained injuries.

Dangote Truck conveying cement to Nyanya that involved in the accident. 

Emergency responders, including fire service personnel and medical teams, quickly arrived at the scene to battle the raging inferno and search for survivors.

THE INSIGHT ht gathered that the driver of the tanker which was conveying Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders and liquid fuel, lost control due to brake failure, rammed into multiple vehicles, crashed and exploded immediately.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as horrifying, following massive flames and thick billows of smoke which engulfing the sky.

I saw the tanker speeding uncontrollably, swerving from side to side before it crashed

A survivor who preferred anonymity recounted the terrifying moment:
“I saw the tanker speeding uncontrollably, swerving from side to side before it crashed. In seconds, there was a loud blast, and flames spread in all directions.”

THE INSIGHT also gathered that the driver of a Dangote trailer, fully loaded with cement, also suffered brake failure while traveling from AYA to Nyanya and crashed into stationary vehicles caught in traffic and compounded the disaster.

Several vehicles and occupants were caught in the inferno, with many of them burnt beyond recognition.

Although relevant authorities have yet to provide an official casualty figures, at least 14 vehicles were reportedly destroyed, while over 16 others suffered minor damages.

Emergency response teams, including the police and fire service officers were at the scene to contain the fire and restore order to the area.

One of the CNG tank from the Dangote truck

However, the incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of fuel tankers as well as the enforcement of roadworthiness regulations in Nigeria.

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