Metro
Two die as explosion rocks Abakaliki
A fuel-laden tanker explosion on the Abakaliki–Onueke-Afikpo Expressway in Ebonyi has claimed the lives of two individuals.
Mr. Igwe Nnabuife, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, confirmed the incident to NAN on Saturday in Abakaliki. Nnabuife explained that the truck, transporting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, ignited on Friday around 8:20 p.m. at the airport junction axis of the highway.
“One vehicle was involved. We have not been able to identify the registration number because the vehicle was burnt beyond recognition.
“On fatality, two persons were killed while one was seriously injured. The dead ones have been taken to Alex-Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.
“The injured person was taken to Onueke General Hospital, Ezza-South Local Government Area of Ebonyi,” the Sector Commander said.
Nnabuife expressed regret over the unfortunate incident, stating that the command has initiated plans to remove the burnt tanker from the road.
An unnamed firefighter and driver from Ebonyi Fire Service shared that they successfully extinguished the fire, attributing their success to divine intervention.
“The incident claimed people’s lives and caused damage to farmlands in the area.
“We were able to put out the fire, but two persons were burnt beyond recognition, a driver and one other person in the tanker.
“We learnt that the tanker was trying to drive on the flyover bridge at the junction but unfortunately fell and caught fire.
“There were three persons in the tanker, but two were killed while one other person was seriously injured in the incident.
“We were there five minutes after the distress calls were made; we focused on the tanker to avoid fire entering into people’s residence,” he added.
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