Tanker Explosion in Enugu Leaves no Fatalities, Authorities Confirm

Our Reporter 

The Enugu State Fire Service has confirmed that no lives were lost following a fuel-laden tanker accident and subsequent explosion at the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway.

This clarification comes amid earlier reports claiming that more than 50 persons died in the incident.

The Chief Fire Officer of the state, Engr. Okwudili Ohaa, disclosed the details on Wednesday in Enugu, stating that the accident occurred at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

According to Ohaa, personnel of the Enugu State Fire Service responded promptly to the emergency, successfully containing and extinguishing the inferno after intense efforts.

“We were able to bring the fire under control after some time, thereby safeguarding surrounding vegetation and the nearby Iva Valley community,” he said.

He further noted that normal traffic flow had since been restored along the affected stretch of the expressway.

Ohaa explained that the incident involved only the fuel tanker, which reportedly lost control and plunged into a valley before bursting into flames.

The tanker driver and his assistant, commonly referred to as a motor boy, sustained injuries and were promptly evacuated to a nearby hospital by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

The Fire Service boss emphasized that the accident was a lone incident, with no additional vehicles involved.

Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Federal Road Safety Corps regarding the incident were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.