An unconfirmed number of people are feared dead, and many others have sustained various degrees of injuries following a massive explosion on the Karu Bridge along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway. The explosion, which occurred on Wednesday evening, caused a major traffic blockage in the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident began when a petrol-laden tanker burst into flames, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky and creating widespread panic among motorists and commuters during the evening rush hour. The fire quickly spread to several vehicles, leading to multiple explosions, further intensifying the chaos.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic as motorists and passengers fled the scene in a desperate attempt to escape the advancing flames. The explosion resulted in the destruction of at least 30 vehicles, triggering a significant emergency response. Personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies arrived on the scene to contain the situation and assist the victims.
As of 8:30 PM, both directions of the expressway remained clogged, with vehicles unable to move due to the severity of the incident.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) later confirmed that the explosion was caused by a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tanker. According to Mark Nyam, the Head of the Forecasting Response and Mitigation division of FEMA, the CNG tanker driver lost control on the bridge, colliding with other vehicles and causing the devastating explosion.
In an official statement, the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) indicated that emergency responders were working to rescue the victims. “Victims are currently being transported to the State House Clinic as Asokoro Hospital and the National Hospital are no longer able to accommodate them,” said Nkechi Isa, Head of Public Affairs for FEMD.
While no official death toll has been confirmed, graphic images and videos of the aftermath have been circulating on social media. Eyewitnesses recounted the horror of the scene, with one survivor, Tule Gemanen, sharing his terrifying experience on Facebook: “I was inside one of the vehicles, and only God saved me. I saw death today, many people died, and cars were reduced to ashes.”
The tragic incident has prompted a full-scale emergency response, with authorities working to address the crisis and provide support to those affected by the explosion.
