Karu tanker explosion: Resident tell tales of woes as 10 people die, 30 badly injured, other fatalities

• The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) confirmed that astatine slightest 10 radical died, implicit 30 were injured successful a tanker detonation astatine Karu Bridge on the Abuja–Keffi Expressway
• President Bola Tinubu has directed a thorough probe into the incidental and ordered information agencies to heighten roadworthy information monitoring
• Survivors described horrifying scenes of trapped victims, portion residents criticized delayed exigency response

FCT, Abuja - The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has confirmed that astatine slightest 10 radical mislaid their lives successful a devastating tanker detonation astatine Karu Bridge, on the Abuja–Keffi Expressway, connected Wednesday evening, March 19.

The tragic incident, which resulted successful aggregate accidents and extended spot damage, has prompted President Bola Tinubu to bid a thorough probe into its cause.

Karu Tanker Explosion: "It Was Like A Scene From Hell": Scary Tales As 10 People Die, 30 Wounded
Source: Facebook

Meanwhile, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has expressed heavy sorrow implicit the nonaccomplishment of lives, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has powerfully criticized the incident, attributing it to the alleged deterioration of nationalist infrastructure nether the existent All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

FEMD confirms casualties

Mark Nyam, Head of Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation astatine FEMD, confirmed that 8 bodies were taken to Karu Hospital Morgue, portion Asokoro District Hospital and National Hospital each received 1 body.

Over 30 individuals sustained varying degrees of burns and person been referred to aesculapian facilities including Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre Keffi, and Cedarcrest Hospital Abuja for urgent treatment.

“No less than 10 vehicles were wholly burned successful the incident,” Nyam added.

Tinubu orders investigation

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, successful a statement, revealed that President Tinubu has directed a afloat probe into the calamity and ordered precedence attraction for the injured.

“The President has instructed information agencies, particularly those progressive successful roadworthy safety, to guarantee stricter postulation monitoring astatine the superior city's introduction and exit points,” Onanuga stated.

President Tinubu besides extended condolences to the victims' families, praying for the repose of the departed souls and divine comfortableness for the bereaved.

Eyewitnesses recount harrowing scenes

Survivors and eyewitnesses described the detonation arsenic a nightmare. Many narrated horrifying moments of trapped victims struggling to flight the raging flames.

“It was similar a country from hell. People were screaming and banging connected their car windows, begging for help, but the occurrence was excessively intense,” said Aisha Ibrahim, a nonmigratory of Karu.

John Eze, different witness, recounted the last moments of a trapped victim:

“I saw a antheral trying to interruption his windshield to escape, but the occurrence caught up with him. He was burned live close earlier our eyes. God person mercy.”

A section resident, Pastor Ukanwa Reminjus, whose location is adjacent to the scene, described the interaction of the explosion:

“Each blast shook the walls of my building. There were much than 10 explosions, and each 1 felt similar a weaponry blast.”

Delayed exigency effect sparks outrage

Many residents criticized the delayed accomplishment of exigency responders, stating that important lives could person been saved if assistance had travel sooner.

“For implicit 45 minutes, determination was nary azygous occurrence truck. We had to usage buckets of soil and water, but it was successful vain. This state has failed us,” lamented Yusuf Abubakar, a commercialized operator who narrowly escaped the inferno.Another resident, Joy Okonkwo, decried the dilatory exigency response: “By the clip they came, each that was near were charred remains. How tin a state beryllium similar this? Where is our government?”

Call for accountability and amended roadworthy information measures

Following the explosion, calls for authorities accountability and amended regularisation of tanker drivers person intensified.

“This is not the archetypal clip we are witnessing specified an incidental successful Nigeria. These reckless tanker drivers indispensable beryllium regulated, and our roads indispensable beryllium safer,” said Chief Emeka Nwosu, a section trader.

James Nwachukwu, different resident, criticized motortruck drivers’ recklessness:

“Many of them thrust arsenic if they person nary respect for quality life. They cognize their brakes are faulty, yet they velocity similar there’s nary tomorrow. The authorities indispensable instrumentality enactment earlier much radical die.”

Janet Albert, who was contiguous astatine the scene, dismissed reports downplaying the fig of casualties:

“I saw it with my ain eyes. Many radical died. The reports saying six radical died are false. Many vehicles were destroyed, and radical were trapped inside.”

Police corroborate decease toll and spot damage

Karu Tanker Explosion: "It Was Like A Scene From Hell": Scary Tales As 10 People Die, 30 Wounded
Source: Twitter

The FCT Police Command has besides confirmed aggregate casualties and extended conveyance damage.

According to Police Public Relations Officer Josephine Adeh, “A distress telephone was received by Karu Division reporting a horrifying scene. A trailer, heavy loaded with cement and approaching Nyanya Bridge from AYA, mislaid power and crashed into stationary vehicles trapped successful traffic. The interaction engulfed 14 vehicles successful a raging inferno.”

As investigations continue, affected families, residents, and civilian nine organizations are calling for justice, improved exigency effect systems, and stricter information regulations to forestall akin tragedies successful the future.

Jigawa: 105 died successful substance tanker detonation

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a devastating petrol tanker detonation occurred successful Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, resulting successful the nonaccomplishment of astatine slightest 105 lives. The calamity struck astatine 11:30 p.m. connected Tuesday nighttime adjacent Khadija University.

According to Shiisu Adam, the Jigawa State Police Command's nationalist relations officer, the tanker operator mislaid power of the conveyance portion travelling from Kano to Nguru municipality successful Yobe State. The tanker exploded, causing wide demolition and chaos.

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Source: Legit.ng