Several persons were, on Wednesday, feared dead in a ghastly road mishap, involving multiple vehicles near the New Garki Market Enugu, on the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway.

Four long trucks, fully laden with cattle and other goods, two Toyota Sienna vehicles, two commercial buses and several other private vehicles, were involved in the collision that also resulted in many sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

Although the actual number of dead victims were not known as at the time of reporting, it is, however, feared that several persons may have lost their lives going by the number of vehicles involved, and the extent of damage recorded.

A team from the Enugu State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Army, police, and other security agencies, assisted by traders and sympathisers were still carrying out rescue operations as at the time of reporting.

The rescue team were seen desperately trying to rescue several persons trapped in the debris, as well as create a way for stranded motorists to continue their journey.

The cause(s) of the fatal accident equally remained unknown.

“People were driving against traffic and at high speed. Before we knew what was happening, trailer vehicles collided, and everything scattered. Motorists were driving against traffic on the newly constructed lane of the Expressway”, a trader volunteered.

As expected, the incident created an unprecedented traffic hiccups, with many motorists left stranded.

With only the reconstructed lane of the Expressway free to traffic after the collision was blocked, motorists became trapped.

However, the arrival and intervention of about 15 soldiers assisted in controlling traffic and making way for stranded motorists

The authorities were yet to react to the unfortunate incident as at press time.