Two lives lost, one critically injured in a devastating fuel tanker explosion in Ebonyi
The tragedy unfolded when a fuel-laden tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) burst into flames, claiming two lives and leaving one person seriously injured.
The incident occurred on Friday at approximately 8:20 p.m. near the airport junction axis of the highway.
Igwe Nnabuife, the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi, confirmed the unfortunate event during a statement to journalists in Abakaliki on Saturday.
The truck, engulfed in flames, was transporting petrol, making identification of its registration number impossible due to the extensive damage.
The casualties, two deceased individuals, were transported to the Alex-Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki, while the injured party received medical attention at Onueke General Hospital in Ezza-South Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
Expressing regret over the incident, Mr. Nnabuife conveyed that efforts were underway to remove the charred wreckage from the roadway, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
A firefighter and driver from the Ebonyi Fire Service, who preferred not to disclose his name, recounted the challenging operation to extinguish the blaze.
He attributed their success to divine intervention but lamented the loss of lives and damage to farmlands in the vicinity.
Providing further details, the firefighter revealed, “The tanker attempted to traverse the flyover bridge at the junction but tragically toppled, leading to the catastrophic fire. Despite our prompt response within five minutes of receiving distress calls, two individuals in the tanker lost their lives, and another sustained severe injuries. Our primary focus was containing the fire to prevent it from spreading to nearby residences.”
The incident underscores the dangers associated with transporting flammable materials, prompting authorities to reevaluate safety measures on the Abakaliki-Onueke-Afikpo expressway.