- Over 10 Burnt Beyond Recognition in Ugwu Onyeama Inferno
- Eyewitness Describes Devastation as Vehicles and Lives Lost
A devastating petrol tanker explosion on Saturday claimed numerous lives and left scores injured along the Ugwu Onyeama Federal Highway in Enugu State.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred when a tanker carrying premium motor spirit (PMS) lost control on the hilly road, overturned, and spilled its contents. The leaked fuel ignited, engulfing vehicles and their occupants in flames.
An eyewitness, a fellow tanker driver, described the horror:
“Yes, there was a big tragedy this afternoon at Ugwu Onyeama. A tanker spilled petrol, and unfortunately, it caught fire. All the vehicles on the road at that moment were burned, and people were trapped. Over 10 people, including children, have been burnt beyond recognition.”
He added that emergency responders had begun evacuating victims to morgues and nearby hospitals.
“Some bodies were loaded into a pick-up van and taken to the morgue. Others have been rushed to hospitals with severe injuries. The road remains impassable, and traffic has come to a standstill.”
The fire reportedly spread along the road, with flames reaching as far as Agu-abor, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the casualty figure or the cause of the accident, but efforts to clear the highway and provide support to victims are ongoing.
Residents and commuters have called for improved road safety measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future.
