A devastating explosion involving a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tanker near Karu Bridge in Abuja on Wednesday evening has left multiple casualties feared dead.
Eyewitness footage obtained by our correspondent captured frantic calls for help as trapped motorists were engulfed in flames.
According to witnesses, the tanker lost control near Karu Bridge, located between Kugbo and Nyanya along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, before crashing into several vehicles, triggering the explosion.
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred at approximately 7:14 pm.
In an official statement signed by FEMD’s Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, the agency’s Head of Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation, Mark Nyam, detailed the circumstances leading to the explosion.
“A severe motor accident occurred at the Karu Bridge between Kugbo and Nyanya in the FCT at about 7:14 pm. The crash involved a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck and multiple other vehicles,” the statement read.
Nyam further explained that the accident happened when the CNG truck’s driver lost control while on the bridge, colliding with other vehicles and igniting a massive explosion.
Rescue efforts were swiftly deployed, with teams from the FEMD, the Federal Fire Service, the FCT Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) working at the scene to manage the crisis and assist victims.
