By Karen James
At least fifteen people, including three children, lost their lives in a tragic petrol tanker explosion along the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway on Saturday, January 25. The incident, which occurred around 11:30 a.m., left victims burnt beyond recognition and sparked widespread devastation in the area.
Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion happened when a fuel-laden tanker overturned while descending the hilly and busy expressway. The fallen tanker ignited a massive fire, which quickly engulfed another truck behind it, escalating the intensity of the blaze.
Many victims were reportedly trapped in vehicles caught in the inferno, while others, attempting to flee the scene, were overtaken by the spreading flames.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene but faced challenges containing the fire and recovering bodies due to the scale of the destruction. The exact cause of the tanker’s fall remains unclear, though residents of the area have called attention to the dangerous nature of the hilly road and frequent accidents at the location.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, while efforts are being made to identify the victims. The tragic explosion has left the local community in mourning, with calls for improved road safety measures to prevent similar occurrences.
This latest disaster highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations on the transportation of fuel and the maintenance of Nigeria’s highways to avoid further loss of lives.
