A petrol tanker explosion on Saturday has resulted in numerous fatalities in Enugu State, Nigeria, officials have confirmed.
The incident occurred on a busy expressway in the state, where the fuel-laden tanker overturned while navigating a hilly section of the road. The explosion triggered panic, affecting six other vehicles in the area.
Eyewitnesses, who shared video footage of the aftermath, reported that at least 15 people, including three children, were confirmed dead. Franklin Agbakoba Onyekwere, Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Enugu State, arrived at the scene but has not yet disclosed an official death toll.
This tragedy follows a deadly explosion in Niger State just days earlier, which claimed the lives of 98 individuals.
Since 2009, Nigeria has witnessed 172 oil tanker accidents, resulting in 1,896 deaths. The year 2024 has seen an alarming surge, with 266 fatalities already recorded, making it the deadliest year in recent history.
Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, 28 tanker accidents have been reported across the country, leading to 468 deaths—more than 15% of all recorded incidents and nearly 25% of the fatalities over the last 15 years.
In response to the growing crisis, President Tinubu has set up a special committee to address the root causes of these recurring accidents and to take preventive measures. The president has also instructed security agencies and road safety authorities to step up efforts to prevent further incidents and mitigate the impact of fuel transportation-related explosions.
The increasing frequency of such tragedies has sparked widespread concerns about Nigeria’s road safety regulations and infrastructure, with calls for urgent action to prevent further loss of life.