The death toll from the tragic fuel tanker explosion in Enugu State has risen to 18, with numerous others injured, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The deadly explosion occurred on Saturday, January 25, around 11:30 AM along the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
The explosion, which involved a fuel-laden tanker, caused massive destruction, leaving vehicles engulfed in flames and sparking widespread panic among onlookers.
Witnesses described the explosion as catastrophic, with the fire’s intensity making rescue operations particularly difficult.
The victims, many of whom were believed to have been inside the vehicles caught in the blaze, were reported to be burnt beyond recognition.
The FRSC confirmed the increase in casualties, and Sector Commander Franklin Agbakoba lamented the challenges faced during the rescue operation, due to the severity of the fire.
The victims have since been rushed to local hospitals, with many in critical condition.
In the aftermath, President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the families of the deceased and the injured.
Through a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, the President also extended his sympathies to the people and government of Enugu State, describing the tragedy as devastating.
President Tinubu called for improved safety measures on the country’s roads, particularly for fuel tanker operators, urging relevant authorities to enforce stricter regulations to prevent such accidents.
Also, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who visited the site of the explosion, described the incident as unfortunate.
Speaking to journalists, Mbah stated that the state government had immediately mobilised resources to provide medical care for the survivors.
He also revealed that the state was investigating the cause of the explosion, which preliminary reports suggest may have been due to a brake failure. The governor announced plans to enhance road safety measures, including the enforcement of regulations that require tankers carrying inflammable materials to be fitted with anti-spill locks to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
Mbah also pledged to work closely with federal agencies to repair the damaged portion of the road and improve overall infrastructure, emphasising that the government would not wait for the federal authorities to address the situation.
“We are going to take steps to ensure that the section of the road that is in disrepair is fixed immediately to prevent a recurrence,” he stated.
In the same vein, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, also extended his condolences to the families of the victims. He lamented the frequency of such incidents, pointing out that just days before the Enugu explosion, a similar tanker accident in Niger State had claimed dozens of lives.
Kalu urged the federal government to prioritize road repairs, enforce stricter safety regulations for fuel tankers, and educate the public about safety measures to avoid future accidents.
“The loss of lives and property associated with tanker explosions is too much. This is why we need immediate intervention from the federal government, including the rehabilitation of roads and stricter safety regulations for tanker operators,” Kalu reiterated.
He also called for government agencies to provide relief materials to the affected families.
Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) also weighed in on the incident, expressing concern over the rising number of accidents involving fuel tankers.
Chairman of IPMAN’s Enugu Depot,Chinedu Anyaso called for urgent action to address the issue, citing the heavy loss of lives and the destruction of property.
He stressed the need for a multi-stakeholder approach to tackling the problem, urging the government to create safer tanker parks and to enforce mandatory safety protocols for tanker drivers.
Anyaso also reiterated the importance of providing motorable roads and improving the overall safety of the road transport sector.
He called for the use of foreign anti-spill covers for tankers and better coordination among stakeholders, including the FRSC and tanker drivers’ unions, to ensure safety compliance.