Many feared dead, 8 vehicles burnt in Enugu fuel tanker explosion

Several people were feared dead in a fuel tanker explosion along the Ugwu- Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway on Saturday.

The Director of the Enugu State Fire Service, Chief Okwudili Ohaa, confirmed the incident to journalists in Enugu.

He said the men of the fire service put out the fire which lasted over one hour.

Ohaa added that the number of casualties has not been ascertained as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies are trying to evacuate the charred bodies of the victims.

He said eight vehicles were burnt and scores of road users were injured in the incident.

READ ALSO: Death toll in Niger fuel tanker explosion reaches 98

“The suspected petroleum-laden tanker fell and exploded into flames at about 11:30 a.m. The gallant firefighters from our 9th Mile Station immediately rushed to the scene but got overwhelmed.

“I have to immediately send for re-enforcement from the Ogui Road and Government House Fire Stations that supported the 9th Mile team.

“It took the combined efforts of 10 experienced and gallant firefighters to extinguish the fire before other para-military personnel came to evacuate corpses and rescue those injured to nearby hospitals,” the director stated.

The latest fuel tanker explosion occurred a few days after more than 90 people died in a similar incident in Niger State.

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