The death toll from the Enugu tanker explosion has risen to 23, as two more victims succumbed to their injuries. The accident, caused by a brake failure, involved 44 people and multiple vehicles. Authorities urge road safety measures as survivors receive treatment in Enugu hospitals.
The tragic tanker explosion that occurred on January 25 along the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway has now claimed 23 lives. The latest update was confirmed by Enugu State's FRSC Sector Commander, Franklin Agbakoba, on Tuesday.
The initial explosion, caused by a fuel-laden tanker that lost control due to brake failure, led to immediate fatalities and multiple injuries. Emergency responders, including the FRSC and Enugu State Fire Service, worked to control the situation, evacuating victims and transporting the wounded to nearby hospitals.
Since the incident, the death toll has steadily increased, with the latest casualties being two women who succumbed to severe injuries while receiving treatment at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu.
Agbakoba further revealed that five victims were admitted to UNTH, but three, all from the same family, left against medical advice to seek traditional treatment. Meanwhile, two patients at ESUTH Teaching Hospital have been transferred to the Orthopaedic Hospital for specialized care due to severe burns.
The tragic accident involved 44 individuals and 16 vehicles, including commercial and private cars, as well as a tricycle. In total, 23 people sustained injuries, with victims receiving medical attention at major hospitals in Enugu.
Authorities continue to urge drivers to ensure vehicle maintenance to prevent such disasters. The government also assesses measures to improve road safety and emergency response protocols to mitigate future incidents.
