A petrol tanker that crashed into 17 other vehicles in Enugu State on Saturday 25 January, 2025, have resulted in the death of 18 victims who were burnt beyond recognition.
The rescue teams of the Federal Road Safety Corps, as a result of the incident which was said to have occurred due to break failure, endured another long duration of tactical operations as they successfully rescued 13 motorists from a fire related crash
The crash involved 17 vehicles in the category of 1 petroleum ladened tanker, 1 water tanker, 15 other vehicles and 1 tricycle.
A statement by Assistant Corps Marshal, Olusegun Ogungbemide, Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps Headquarters, Abuja, said "A total of 31 people were involved in the crash. 10 were rescued with different degrees of injuries while 3 got rescued unharmed.
"From the preliminary report received by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the tanker which was loaded with premium motor spirit experienced break failure and the driver lost grip of the wheels before crashing onto the 17 vehicles leading to a fire outbreak that left 11 vehicles burnt."
It listed those that participated in the rescue operations to include the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Bar. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Honourable Commissioners for Transportation and Health, Enugu State Commissioner of Police, FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of RS9 ENUGU, the Sector Commander Enugu and State Director Department of State Services.
In other to ensure ease of movement along that route, the statement disclosed that traffic has been diverted to the inward Enugu lane, while evacuation of burnt vehicles are on-going.
"The Corps Marshal has therefore called on motorists plying the said road to exercise caution and use the alternative routes for safety and ease of vehicular movement while he commiserates with the families of the victims and wishes the injured quick recovery."the statement added