A devastating petrol tanker explosion has claimed several lives along the Ugwu Onyama Federal Highway in Enugu State.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning, leaving scores of people dead and others critically injured. Numerous vehicles were also destroyed in the inferno.
An eyewitness, a tanker driver identified as Eziechina, recounted the horrifying scene. “Yes, there was a big tragedy this afternoon at Ugwu Onyama Federal Highway.
“A tanker carrying premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, fell at the hilly road and spilled the product down the road. Unfortunately, it caught fire and all the vehicles plying the road at the time caught fire and burnt people beyond recognition,” he said.
Eziechina further disclosed that over ten people, including children, were burnt beyond recognition. “Some have just been loaded in a pick-up van to the morgue now. So many others have been loaded in a vehicle and taken to a morgue earlier. As we speak, there’s no road through Ugwu Onyama. I am trapped somewhere in Ngwo. The situation is tragic. The second lane of the road is impassable. The fire raged along the road leading to Agu-abor,” he added.
The explosion comes just a week after a similar tragedy in Niger State, where a petrol tanker exploded near Dikko Junction, killing at least 98 people, including a pregnant woman, and leaving many injured.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the Enugu explosion, but rescue operations are reportedly ongoing as efforts continue to manage the aftermath of the disaster.