Chaos erupted in Abuja on Wednesday evening as a devastating explosion at Karu Bridge sent shockwaves through the city, leaving commuters stranded and emergency responders scrambling to contain the crisis.
The accident, which occurred at about 7.14pm, involved a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck and some vehicles.
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) confirmed that the catastrophic blast was triggered when the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck lost control, colliding with multiple vehicles before erupting into flames.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of horror, with motorists abandoning their vehicles and running for their lives as the explosion sent fireballs and thick smoke billowing into the sky.
The blast caused a massive gridlock between Kugbau and Nyanya, leaving thousands stranded.
Mark Nyam, Head of the Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation Division of FEMD, revealed that the accident struck at approximately 7:14 p.m., igniting an inferno that engulfed vehicles and sent terrified commuters fleeing.
Emergency teams rushed victims to the State House Clinic, as Asokoro Hospital and the National Hospital were already overwhelmed.
The number of casualties remains uncertain, but authorities confirm that search-and-rescue operations are ongoing.
Personnel from FEMD, the Federal Fire Service, the FCT Fire Service, and the Nigeria Police are battling to secure the area, while the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have been deployed to manage the unfolding crisis.
The explosion triggered a traffic nightmare, bringing movement on the affected route to a complete halt.
FRSC spokesman Olusegun Ogungbemide described the situation as “severe,” confirming that panicked motorists left their cars behind, worsening the congestion.
Authorities are yet to provide an official casualty report, but the extent of destruction and panic signals yet another grim tragedy in the heart of the capital city.
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.
In a statement late Wednesday, the initiative said, “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.”