Atleast seven persons have been reported dead after a massive explosion rocked the Karu bridge at Nyanya area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Wednesday.
TheNewsGuru gathered that the incident occurred after a gas tanker burst into flames, and engulfed several vehicles.
Personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other security agencies were seen at the scene, with over seven bodies recovered so far.
Reports also indicated that emergency responders continued rescue operations, as they work to contain the situation.
Cause of the blast revealed
Mark Nyam, the Head of the Forecasting Response and Mitigation Division at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirmed the accident’s details in a statement released on Wednesday, stating that the incident occurred when the CNG truck veered out of control and struck other vehicles on the bridge.
“The driver of the CNG truck lost control, which resulted in the explosion. Our teams, along with the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force, and NEMA, are on the ground to rescue those affected,” Nyam explained.
The statement noted that injured victims were immediately taken to the State House Clinic for treatment, while others were rushed to National and Asokoro Hospitals for more intensive care.
The Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNG) also issued a statement expressing sadness over the incident and promising a thorough investigation to determine its cause.
“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,” the statement read
The PCNG Initiative further mentioned that preliminary reports indicated a possible brake system failure leading to the explosion of the petrol storage tank, but they cautioned against speculation until all facts were confirmed.
The initiative reiterated its commitment to ensuring safety standards in the use of CNG as a cleaner energy alternative.
The PCNG also commended the swift response of emergency responders. “We commend the swift response of FEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, and NEMA, who are working tirelessly to rescue victims and manage the situation,” the statement concluded.