Abuja Gas Tanker Explosion Raises Fear Of Multiple Casualties, Many Vehicles Burnt
Family members and victims of the gas tanker explosion, which occurred on Karu Bridge along the ever-busy Abuja-Nyanya-Keffi highway on Wednesday night, have been trooping into various hospitals in the nation’s capital for urgent medical treatment and possible identification of their loved ones
Checks indicate the National Hospital, Abuja, State House Clinic, Asokoro Hospital, Garki and Wuse Hospitals are among those facilities where officials of FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force, and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) rushed most victims from the accident scene to for medical treatment.
According to eyewitness’ account, there were fears of multiple casualties even as several vehicles destroyed in the accident, which happened at about 7.14pm.
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It was gathered that a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck as well as some commercial and private vehicles were involved in the unfortunate incident.
The Head of Forecasting Response and Mitigation division of FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Mr Mark Nyam, told reporters that the accident occurred when the CNG truck driver lost control on the bridge thereby running into other motorists which led to a massive explosion at the scene.
Nyam said the Search and Rescue team of FEMA, Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, FRSC and NEMA were on ground to rescue affected persons and provide emergency response.
Officials also confirmed that some of the victims were rushed to State House Clinic for treatment though the number of fatalities arising from the explosion could not be determined.
Fire fighters from Federal and FCT administration were making frantic efforts to douse the inferno while there was vehicular gridlock that stretched from the incident scene to AYA Junction in Asokoro.
The development inadvertently caused traffic hold-up making movement of commuters coming from the Abuja City Centre to communities in Nyanya, Mararaba and other parts of the country.
Many stranded commuters had to endure several hours while other resorted to trekking to their destinations
A statement by the Head, Public Affairs, FEMD, Nkechi Isa, said officials of FRSC, and FEMD, National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA) and other security operatives were at the scene to control vehicular and crowd movement and to rescue the casualties.
Meanwhile, the Counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, quoted witnesses as describing scenes of horror as people scrambled for safety, lamenting that several vehicles were instantly consumed by the inferno with the occupants trapped inside.
Emergency responders, including fire service personnel and medical teams, rushed to the scene to contain the blaze and assist victims.
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“I saw the tanker coming at high speed, swerving dangerously before it crashed. Within seconds, there was an explosion, and fire spread everywhere,” said a survivor who managed to escape from a nearby vehicle.
In a related development, the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNG) has expressed sadness over the incident, vowing that investigation would be conducted to know the cause of the incident.
The statement released late Wednesday, said; “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this devastating incident.
“While initial reports suggest the involvement of a Bi-Fueled Petrol Tanker, we urge the public to await the outcome of a thorough investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. Preliminary accounts indicate a possible brake system failure leading to the explosion of the petrol storage tank, but it is crucial to avoid speculation until all facts are established.
“The PCNG Initiative remains committed to promoting the safe and sustainable use of CNG as a cleaner energy alternative. We will continue to work closely with relevant authorities, including the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Fire Service, and other stakeholders, to ensure that safety standards are upheld and incidents like this are prevented in the future.
“We commend the swift response of the emergency responders, including FEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who are on the ground working tirelessly to rescue victims and manage the situation.”
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