Casualties Increase in Enugu Fuel Tanker Blast

The death toll from the tanker explosion at the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway has risen to 21. Initially, it was reported that a petrol tanker exploded on Saturday, killing multiple individuals and injuring others. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed on Saturday that 18 people lost their lives in the incident. 

“A total of 31 individuals were involved in the crash. Ten were rescued with varying degrees of injuries, while three escaped unharmed. Sadly, the 18 victims were burnt beyond recognition,” stated Olusegun Ogungbemide, the FRSC national spokesperson. However, on Wednesday, Frank Agbakoba, the FRSC sector commander in Enugu, informed PREMIUM TIMES that three more victims died on Sunday, raising the death toll to 21. “The deceased included two adult males and one adult female,” Mr. Agbakoba said. 

Following the incident, the injured were taken to three different hospitals in the state: Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (also known as Park Lane), the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu. Mr. Agbakoba noted that, in addition to the 18 individuals who were burnt beyond recognition, a total of 23 injured people were admitted to the three hospitals. This group included 15 adult females and eight adult males. 

Of the 23 individuals, nine – seven adult females and two adult males – have been discharged, while three others died on Sunday. Currently, 11 individuals – four adult males and seven adult females – are still receiving treatment at the hospitals. “We will visit the hospitals tomorrow (Thursday) to check if more people have been discharged,” he added.