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ABUJA, Nigeria - The Emergency Management Department (FEMD) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has reported that 10 people lost their lives in a truck explosion that took place at Karu bridge along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway on Wednesday night.
The Head of Forecasting Response and Mitigation at FEMD, Mark Nyam, stated that eight bodies have been taken to the morgue at Karu Hospital, one to the morgue at Asokoro District Hospital, and another to the National Hospital.
The Public Affairs Head of FEMD, Nkechi Isa, revealed in a statement that around 30 individuals sustained varying degrees of burns. “Some victims have been directed to Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre in Keffi, and Cedarcrest Hospital in Abuja for appropriate medical treatment. Approximately 10 vehicles were also set ablaze in the incident.”
Following a site visit, Abdulrahman Mohammed, the Acting Director General of FEMD, urged drivers to abide by traffic laws and regulations, advising against reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, and neglecting vehicle maintenance.
He encouraged FCT residents to utilize the toll-free emergency number, 112, in emergencies, as stated in the announcement.
In a related development, the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) has appealed to Nigerians, especially FCT residents, to donate blood to aid the victims of the tanker explosion.
The Director General of NBSA, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, mentioned that the incident caused numerous casualties, many of whom are in urgent need of blood transfusions.
He highlighted that hospitals and emergency response teams are diligently working to save lives, but a sufficient blood supply is vital for their efforts.
According to NEMA, the incident involved a Compressed Natural Gas truck that lost control and collided with another truck along the AYA-Karu expressway at approximately 7:00 PM on Wednesday. NEMA reported six fatalities, in contrast to the 10 reported by FEMD, as well as 18 vehicles that were burned. The injured were transported to various medical facilities including the National Hospital, State House Clinic, Karu General Hospital, and Customs Clinic in Karu for treatment.
NBSA stated: "We call on all eligible donors to visit designated blood donation centers and hospitals throughout the FCT to make voluntary blood donations. Your kindness can be the difference between life and death for those in critical conditions." For more information and directions to the nearest donation centers, contact the National Blood Service Agency at 39 Abidjan Street, Wuse, or call 07088370905. “Together, we can save lives.”
Additionally, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the President's wife, has urged drivers of heavy vehicles to ensure their road safety before operating them to prevent similar accidents in the future.
In her remarks, she expressed her condolences to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, the families of the deceased and injured, local residents, affected businesses, and property owners, as well as the people of Abuja.
“I encourage vehicle owners and operators, particularly those with heavy vehicles, to verify their vehicles' safety and proper condition before driving to prevent the recurrence of such events.” The President's wife prayed for the eternal rest of the deceased and strength for their families and friends to cope with the immeasurable loss.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reported that six people died in the incident, with 25 others sustaining injuries. Four of the deceased were burned beyond recognition in the blaze following the tanker explosion that occurred near Karu bridge on the Abuja-Keffi expressway on Wednesday night.
Providing further details, the Corps Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Olusegun Ogungbemide, noted that the crash involved 18 vehicles, including two articulated trucks, two buses, one SUV, and 11 cars. Ogungbemide mentioned that the vehicles were severely damaged, with several engulfed in flames.
