Karu Bridge fire explosion

10 killed, 30 suffer burns as another truck explodes in Abuja karu Bridge

Some vehicles were razed on Wednesday when an explosion happened on Karu Bridge, along the Abuja-Nyanya-Keffi Road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).  

The incident happened when a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck lost control, crashed into Karu Bridge, and ramped into some vehicles, leading to an explosion.

The fire destroyed some vehicles and prompted a significant emergency response. Some motorists were also feared dead in the fire.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as motorists and passengers attempted to flee the area to avoid the advancing flames.

A heavy presence of military personnel and emergency responders was later seen at the scene.

The first responders were spotted working diligently to control the situation, manage the movement of people, and ensure public safety.

Security officials have cordoned off the affected area, directing traffic away from the scene to facilitate the operations of firefighting teams and medical personnel.

Several people are feared dead following the explosion of a tanker on Karu Bridge in Abuja on Wednesday evening during closing hours.

A video obtained by our correspondent captured a young man urgently calling for help, reporting that the tanker had exploded during a serious holdup thereby causing the trapped motorists got burned.

Witnesses said the fuel truck got a failed breaks near the karu Bridge, situated between Kugbo and Nyanya on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway. 

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department confirmed the incident, stating that the explosion occurred at exactly around 7:14pm on Wednesday during closing hours.

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs at the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), Nkechi Isa, the Head of Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation, Mark Nyam, explained the circumstances surrounding the accident: “A ghastly motor accident has occurred at the Karu Bridge, between Kugbo and Nyanya in the FCT. The accident, involved a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck and other vehicles.

“The accident happened when the driver of the CNG truck lost control on the bridge, thereby running into other motorists and causing an explosion.

He noted that the search and rescue teams of the FEMD, the Federal Fire Service, the FCT Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Emergency Management Agency, were on the ground to rescue the casualties.

ABUJA—The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Emergency Management Department, FEMD, has confirmed that 10 persons lost their lives in the Wednesday evening truck explosion that occurred at Karu bridge, along the Abuja – Keffi Expressway.

This came as President Bola Tinubu directed a thorough investigation into the tanker explosion that resulted in multiple accidents and loss of lives in Karu.

Also, wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has mourned victims of the tanker explosion.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed grief over loss of lives in the tragic tanker explosion, noting that it adds to the scary upsurge of disastrous incidences that have persistently befallen the country due the worsened state of infrastructure under the current insensitive and inept All Progressives Congress, APC, administration.

Head Forecasting Response and Mitigation of FEMD, Mark Nyam said eight bodies were deposited at the Karu Hospital Morgue, one at the Asokoro District Hospital Morgue while another body was deposited at the National Hospital.

According to him, over 30 persons suffered various degrees of burns.

Some of the victims have been referred to Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre,Keffi and Cedarcrest Hospital Abuja for proper care.

No fewer than 10 vehicles were burnt in the incident.

Head, Public Affairs of FEMD, Nkechi Isa in a statement said the acting Director General of the Department, Engr. Abdulrahman Mohammed again appealed to motorists to observe traffic rules and regulations.

“He cautioned against reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and poor maintenance of vehicles.

“Abdulrahman appealed to FCT residents to always use the 112 emergency toll free number in the event of an emergency,” she added.