Olayomi Koiki
A yet-to-be-confirmed number of people are feared dead following an explosion reportedly caused by an auto accident on a bridge in Nigerian capital Abuja.
Eyewitnesses said the explosion happened on Wednesday evening on Karu Bridge after a high-impact collision involving a vehicle suspected to be a truck transporting fuel or a highly flammable substance.
The accident, which occurred at about 7.14pm, involved a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck and some vehicles, according to a local newspaper.
The Head of Forecasting Response and Mitigation division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Mr Mark Nyam, said the accident occurred when the driver of the CNG truck lost control on the bridge and rammed into other motorists and leading to an explosion.
Nyam noted that the search and rescue team of FEMA, Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and NEMA were on ground to rescue affected individuals.
According to him, some of the victims were taken to State House Clinic for treatment.
In a trending video seen by KOIKI Media, several cars were seen engulfed in flames as some good Samaritans tried to rescue victims from the burning wreckage.
The cameraman was heard pleading with people to call the fire service to extinguish the fire.
“People are dying, people are burning! Anyone close to Road Safety should call them. They should call the fire service. People are dying, people are burning at Karu Bridge!” he pleaded.
“People should help! Everyone is burning! God, look at human beings burning, and nobody can get close.”
As the fire escalated, bystanders were seen at a distance, unable to approach the explosion due to its intensity.
According to Daily Trust newspaper, the National Hospital, Abuja, and Asokoro Hospital are currently filled with victims.
Meanwhile, the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNG) has expressed sadness over the incident, vowing that investigation would be conducted to know the cause of the incident.
The initiative said in a statement late Wednesday: “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this devastating incident.
“While initial reports suggest the involvement of a Bi-Fueled Petrol Tanker, we urge the public to await the outcome of a thorough investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. Preliminary accounts indicate a possible brake system failure leading to the explosion of the petrol storage tank, but it is crucial to avoid speculation until all facts are established.
“The PCNG Initiative remains committed to promoting the safe and sustainable use of CNG as a cleaner energy alternative. We will continue to work closely with relevant authorities, including the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Fire Service, and other stakeholders, to ensure that safety standards are upheld and incidents like this are prevented in the future.
“We commend the swift response of the emergency responders, including FEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who are on the ground working tirelessly to rescue victims and manage the situation.”
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