Maureen Edozie in Enugu
Eighteen people were burnt to death on Saturday when a petrol tanker exploded in Ugwu Onyeama, along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Enugu State, when the drive coming down to the hilly area lost control and hit vehicles at the front.
Penpushing reports that a witness identified as Sunday Ugwumba, a commercial driver said the incident occurred at about 11pm, adding that the tanker failed and the petrol poured out which incidentally caught fire
“The tanker failed and the fuel (petrol) now poured out and caught fire. All the vehicles at the front and back of the tanker and people inside the vehicles were burnt’ the commercial bus driver stated.
Penpushing further reports that the National Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Olusegun Ogungbemide in a statement confirmed the incident explaining that the team rescued 13 motorists from the inferno.
“A total of 31 people were involved in the crash. 10 were rescued with different degrees of injuries while 3 got rescued unharmed. Unfortunately, the 18 remaining victims were burnt beyond recognition,” he said.
Penpushing also reports that Ogungbemide explained that the Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Commissioner of Transport and Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of RS9 Enugu, Sector Commander Enugu STATE and Director of the State Security Service. took part in the rescue operation.
The Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) spokesperson attributed the crash to brake failure, adding that 17 vehicles were involved in the incident, explaining that preliminary investigation showed that the driver of the tanker experienced brake failure
“From the preliminary report received by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the tanker which was loaded with premium motor spirit (petrol) experienced brake failure and the driver lost grip of the wheels before crashing onto the 17 vehicles leading to a fire outbreak that left 11 vehicles burnt,” he stated.
Penpushing reports that Ogungbemide said the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) team swiftly diverted traffic to the inward Enugu Lane in order to ensure ease of movement along the route, stating that evacuation of burnt vehicles was still ongoing as at the time of filing this report.
The spokesperson said, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed has called on motorists plying the road to exercise caution and use the alternative routes for safety and ease of vehicular movement, and commiserated with the families of the victims and wished the injured quick recovery.
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