The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that at least six people lost their lives, and 25 others were injured in a tragic explosion that occurred under the Karu Bridge in Abuja on Wednesday night.
The accident, which involved multiple vehicles, led to a major roadblock, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded for several hours. Some vehicles were seen burning on the road, causing panic among residents.
According to the Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, the crash involved 18 vehicles, including two articulated trucks, two buses, one SUV, and 11 cars.
“The crash occurred at approximately 6:58 pm, and the FRSC received the report at 7:03 pm. More than 35 people were involved,” he said.
“The accident resulted in six deaths and left 25 others injured. The injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, while the dead were taken to the mortuary,” he added.
Emergency responders, including the FRSC, Red Cross, Fire Service, and military, quickly arrived at the scene to assist victims and manage the situation.
The FCT Fire Service (FFS) revealed that the accident was caused by brake failure from a truck transporting Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) canisters.
The Public Relations Officer of the FCT Fire Service, Ibrahim Mohammad, explained that the truck, which was heading toward the Nyanya axis from AYA, lost control and crashed into several vehicles, triggering a fire outbreak.
“The impact led to a fire, which resulted in casualties,” Mohammad said.
He added that authorities were still investigating to confirm whether people were trapped inside the burnt vehicles.
FRSC officials, including the FCT Sector Commander, Chorrie Muta’a, and the Unit Commander in charge of Nyanya and Karu, were present at the scene to coordinate rescue operations.
The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, also visited the site to assess the damage and console the victims’ families.
Ogungbemide urged drivers to ensure their vehicles are in good condition before any journey.
“The FRSC has been working hard to reduce road crashes through public awareness campaigns and strict enforcement of traffic laws. We will continue to collaborate with other agencies to promote road safety,” he said.
