Four people were on Monday injured when a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) laden tanker collided with an empty fuel tanker along the busy Zaria-Kaduna Expressway, which triggered an explosion that sent plumes of smoke into the air and caused panic among residents and commuters.
Penpushing reports that the Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Zaria, Nasir Falgore confirmed the incident, explaining that the crash occurred around 8:30 a.m. in the Dan Magaji area, a stretch of road notorious for heavy vehicular traffic and frequent accidents involving articulated vehicles.
The unit commander said his team’s prompt intervention prevented a far more devastating disaster, explaining that on arrival at the scene it was the only two tankers that were involved in the crash.
Penpushing further reports that Falgore debunked the speculations circulating in the area that small car and other vehicles were involved, explaining that preliminary investagion showed that the tanker allegedly rammed into the rear of the empty fuel tanker
“When we arrived at the scene, it was only the two tankers that were involved in the accident. There was no small car or any other vehicle involved. According to preliminary investigations, the LPG tanker allegedly rammed into the rear of the empty fuel tanker’, he said.
‘The impact triggered an explosion, sending plumes of smoke into the air and causing panic among residents and commuters in the vicinity. Three of the injured were occupants of the empty tanker, while the fourth was from the LPG vehicle. All four victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment’, Falgore stated
Penpushing also reports that he said the authorities cordoned off the area and diverted traffic to prevent further incidents, while fire and rescue personnel worked to contain the explosion’s aftermath.
The unit commander equally confirmed that no fatalities were recorded as of the time this report was filed, though an official cause of the crash will be determined after a full investigation.
Penpushing reports that, a mechanic, Alkali Nuhu, whose workshop is a stone throw to the scene described the moment of impact, stating that it was like the sky cracked open and that there was a loud bang followed by flames
“It was like the sky cracked open. We heard a loud bang, then saw flames. People ran, shouting ‘Gas! Gas!’ because the smell was everywhere. It was too dangerous to go near until the fire service came’, he said
Penpushing further reports that similarly, a food vendor, Murja Sani, said following the sudden crash she grabbed her cooking pots and took to her heels to avoid any untold development and escaped from the scene.
“The smoke was so thick you couldn’t see the next shop. We were scared another explosion might follow. The FRSC and fire service were fast. If they had delayed, we wouldn’t be standing here now’, she said
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