A devastating tanker explosion on January 25, 2025, along the Ugwu Onyeama Expressway in Enugu State, has left 18 people dead and 23 others injured, with 16 vehicles destroyed.
The tragedy unfolded when a petrol-laden tanker suffered brake failure on an elevated stretch of the expressway. The vehicle rolled backward, colliding with roadside barriers and vehicles before spilling its contents, which ignited into a massive fire.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (ENSEMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), conducted a rapid assessment of the incident. Their findings revealed that 44 individuals were in the affected vehicles. Among them, 18 were burnt beyond recognition, 23 sustained varying degrees of burns, and three escaped unharmed.
Injured victims were transported to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) Parklane and the National Orthopedic Hospital. Nine have been treated and discharged, while six remain hospitalized.
NEMA Director General Mrs. Zubaida Umar expressed her condolences to the victims and lauded first responders for their prompt actions. She has directed the agency’s Enugu Zonal Office to collaborate with relevant authorities to deliver immediate support to those affected.
Most of the victims were travelers, with no specific community or state affiliation.
