The National Hospital, Abuja, and Asokoro Hospital are currently filled with victims following a deadly gas explosion that occurred on Karu Bridge in Abuja on Wednesday night.
Several people are feared dead, while many others sustained serious injuries. The explosion, which happened around 7:14 p.m., involved a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck and multiple vehicles, leading to a chaotic scene.
Mr. Mark Nyam, Head of Forecasting Response and Mitigation at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), noted that the accident happened when the driver of the CNG truck lost control on the bridge. This caused the truck to crash into other vehicles, resulting in a massive explosion.
Rescue operations were quickly launched, with FEMA, the Federal Fire Service, the FCT Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) working together to assist the victims. Some of those injured were taken to the State House Clinic for urgent medical attention.
Meanwhile, the Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNG) has expressed deep sadness over the tragic incident and assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
In a statement released late Wednesday, the PCNG 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.”
