ABUJA, Nigeria — A tragic incident in southern Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals, with 10 others sustaining injuries following an explosion involving a gasoline tanker, according to officials reports.
The explosion occurred on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway in Enugu state when the gasoline-laden tanker lost control, collided with 17 other vehicles, and subsequently ignited, as detailed by the Federal Road Safety Corps in a statement on Saturday evening.
The spokesperson for the safety corps rescue teams, Olusegun Ogungbemide, noted that those who lost their lives were “burnt beyond recognition.” Alongside the 10 injured persons, rescuers managed to free three individuals who were unharmed from the wreckage.
In Nigeria, the absence of an effective railway system for transporting goods contributes to the frequent occurrence of deadly truck accidents on major highways, particularly in Africa’s most populous nation.
Earlier this month, another devastating gasoline tanker explosion resulted in 98 fatalities in north-central Nigeria, specifically near Suleja in Niger state. This occurred when individuals attempted to transfer fuel from a crashed tanker into another truck while using a generator, drawing in bystanders who sought to collect gasoline. In response, authorities initiated a nationwide campaign to discourage the practice of siphoning gasoline from overturned tankers and other dangerous activities that pose significant risks to life.
Lanre Issa-Onilu, the director-general of the National Orientation Agency, which communicates government policies, remarked that “gasoline tanker accidents do not have to lead to the loss of lives,” during an event held near Suleja.
Following the removal of subsidies by President Bola Tinubu’s government over a year ago, gasoline prices have surged in Nigeria, leading to significant hardship for residents, as the administration seeks to redirect funds to more developmental initiatives. However, the practice of siphoning gasoline from fallen tankers has remained prevalent, as some individuals either utilize it or sell it for profit.