A tragic incident unfolded on the Abakaliki–Onueke-Afikpo Expressway in Ebonyi as a fuel-laden tanker, transporting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, erupted in a devastating explosion. The aftermath left two individuals dead and one severely injured.
The sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ebonyi, Igwe Nnabuife, disclosed that the harrowing event took place at the airport junction axis of the highway around 8:20 p.m. on Friday.
According to Mr. Nnabuife, the intensity of the blaze was so immense that the registration number of the incinerated vehicle couldn’t be identified. The deceased have been transferred to the Alex-Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki, while the injured individual is receiving medical attention at the Onueke General Hospital in Ezza-South Local Government Area.
The tragic outcome not only resulted in loss of life but also inflicted damage upon the surrounding farmlands. The Ebonyi Fire Service, with divine aid as recounted by one of its firefighters and drivers, managed to extinguish the raging flames. Regrettably, two individuals, including the tanker’s driver, succumbed to the inferno, while one person suffered grave injuries.
The calamity unfolded as the ill-fated tanker attempted to navigate the flyover bridge at the junction, culminating in a catastrophic fall and subsequent ignition. Prompt distress calls alerted the fire service, prompting a rapid response to contain the blaze and avert further peril to nearby residential areas.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, authorities are initiating measures to remove the charred wreckage from the roadway. The somber incident serves as a poignant reminder of the perils associated with transporting hazardous materials, underscoring the need for stringent safety protocols to prevent such heart-wrenching occurrences.
