Tragedy struck in Enugu State on Saturday when no fewer than 18 people were burnt to death and 13 others injured in a tanker explosion at Ugwu Onyeama, along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, in the Udi Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred around 11.30am when a fuel-laden tanker while descending a hill collided with a water truck belonging to JUHEL Nigeria Limited, triggering an explosion that caused widespread panic.
A spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in a statement on Saturday, said the crash involved 17 vehicles, including a petrol tanker, a water tanker, 15 cars, and a tricycle.
According to preliminary reports by the FRSC, the petrol tanker, laden with premium motor spirit, lost control after its brakes failed, resulting in a collision that triggered a fire incident.
Ogungbemide said, “A total of 31 people were involved in the crash. Ten were rescued with varying degrees of injury, while three escaped unscathed. Unfortunately, the remaining 18 victims were burnt beyond recognition.
“The tanker experienced brake failure, and the driver lost control, leading to a collision with 17 vehicles.” the statement read.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the rescue operation involved policemen, men of the state fire service, Federal Road Safety Corps, and other security agencies.
Traffic was diverted to ease movement while efforts to evacuate the wreckage were underway.
How crash occurred
Eyewitnesses said the petrol tanker spilled its contents along the road, covering a stretch of over 17 electric poles.
Our correspondents gathered that the ensuing fire spread rapidly, consuming everything in its path.
Sunday PUNCH learnt that some of the victims were travellers who came for Christmas and New Year celebrations and were returning to their bases when tragedy struck.
An eyewitness, who identified himself only as Anthony, described the explosion as devastating and called on the Federal Government to prioritise railway systems and pipelines for transporting petrol and other flammable products.
“Enough is enough. This tanker delivery system is a disaster waiting to happen every day. It’s not working for us anymore,” Anthony said.
Sympathisers at the scene said the intensity of the fire hindered rescue efforts, making it difficult to save those trapped in the vehicles.
They listed vehicles involved in the tanker fire to include a Toyota Camry, two Sienna buses, a tricycle, a Lexus SUV, a commuter bus, a minibus, an L300 bus, a low-bed truck carrying an excavator, and a Mack trailer truck.
The National Emergency Management Agency said it had deployed a response team to the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway to assess the situation.
The Head of Media and Public Relations of NEMA, Manzo Ezekiel, confirmed the development to Sunday PUNCH.
Ezekiel said, “This tragic tanker fire explosion underscores the importance of our sensitisation campaigns on the safe transportation of petroleum products.
“Our officers from the Enugu office have been dispatched to the scene to assess the immediate needs and provide support.”
He emphasised the risks associated with transporting fuel using tankers and urged stakeholders to adopt stringent safety measures.
“This incident, reportedly caused by a tyre explosion, highlights the dangers of handling flammable substances carelessly. While this case wasn’t linked to fuel scooping, we must continue educating operators and the public on these risks,” he added.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured speedy recovery.
He also urged motorists to exercise caution, particularly when navigating alternative routes.
116 deaths in one week
The explosion occurred a week after a similar incident in Suleja, Niger State, which claimed over 98 lives.
In the Suleja inferno, a tanker carrying 60,000 litres of petrol overturned at Dikko Junction, spilling its contents as residents gathered to scoop fuel. The fire that resulted killed 98 residents.
With the Enugu tragedy, a total of 116 lives have been lost in just one week.
Atiku, Saraki, Obi demand probe of tanker explosions
Commenting on the incident, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, called for an urgent investigation into the frequent tanker explosions in the country.
Atiku described the loss as “heartbreaking,” extending his condolences to the families affected.
He called for an investigation into incidents of tanker explosions, which according to him were becoming too frequent.
“The incidents of tragic tanker explosions have reached emergency levels. It is time for the government to establish an inquiry into this issue,” Atiku said.
Similarly, Obi lamented the recurring tanker explosions, urging authorities to take proactive measures to prevent further loss of lives and property.
He called for stricter safety regulations to prevent future occurrences.
“We must begin to truly prioritise the safety and security of lives and property by implementing measures that drastically mitigate the occurrence of these accidents, which have now become too many.
“We need to focus on fixing our existing roads, implementing strict road safety measures and educating our people on observing the right protocols around accident scenes,” Obi said.
Saraki also extended his condolences to the victims and their families, emphasising the need for better enforcement of safety standards in fuel transportation.
“These frequent explosions raise critical questions about road safety standards, vehicle maintenance, driver training, and government oversight.
“Are ageing infrastructures, insufficient regulations, or human error contributing to these tragedies? Understanding these underlying causes is essential if we are to prevent more unnecessary loss of life,” Saraki said.