Many feared dead as petrol tanker explodes in Enugu

Many people are feared dead after a petrol-laden tanker exploded at the Ugwu-Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.

Okwudili Ohaa, director of the Enugu State Fire Service, confirmed the incident to NAN on Saturday.

Ohaa said the fire, which raged for over an hour, left scores burnt to death and eight vehicles completely destroyed.

He added that the fire was extinguished by the service’s firefighting officers.

“The suspected petroleum-laden tanker fell and exploded at around 11:30 am. Our firefighters from the 9th Mile Station rushed to the scene, but they were quickly overwhelmed,” Ohaa said.

“I had to call for reinforcements from the Ogui Road and Government House stations, who joined the 9th Mile team.

“It took the combined efforts of 10 skilled firefighters to put out the flames, and other paramilitary personnel arrived shortly after to evacuate the bodies and transport the injured to hospitals.” 

Ohaa also thanked the public for alerting the fire service to the incident so quickly.

The explosion in Enugu contributes to the increasing number of petrol tanker explosions that have claimed hundreds of lives and caused numerous injuries across Nigeria in recent months.

On January 18, a petrol tanker explosion at Dikko junction in Gurara LGA, Niger state, reportedly killed at least 98 people.

Earlier in the month, two people were reportedly killed in a petrol tanker explosion in Agbor Town, Ika LGA, Delta state.

In November 2024, another explosion occurred at the Jigawa-Kano border in Dutse LGA, Jigawa state.

Similarly, in October, a tanker explosion took place in Majia town, Taura LGA, Jigawa, after an articulated petrol vehicle overturned and spilled its contents, leading to an explosion that claimed over 140 lives.