Police authorities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have reported that six people have died and fourteen cars were burned following an explosion at Karu Bridge in the nation’s capital.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday along the Abuja-Nyanya-Keffi road, caused widespread panic among residents of the city.
In a statement released hours after the explosion, the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, explained that the accident involved a trailer that lost control and collided with a stationary vehicle trapped in traffic.
“The collision caused a massive fire, engulfing fourteen vehicles in a fierce blaze. Panic and chaos ensued as bystanders and motorists scrambled for safety. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, battling thick smoke and extreme heat to rescue those trapped,” the statement noted.
“Six victims were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital, but sadly, they were confirmed dead by medical staff. Their bodies have been transferred to the Karu General Hospital morgue.”
According to Adeh, the fire was eventually brought under control with the help of police, fire service personnel, and other security agencies, and normal traffic flow was restored.
“The FCT Police Command expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and assures the public that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the disaster and to prevent future incidents,” Adeh added.
This incident in Abuja contributes to the rising number of explosions across Nigeria in recent months. Just last week, two people died and twelve vehicles were destroyed in an explosion at Otedola Bridge in Lagos.
A tanker carrying gas exploded at the bridge, setting off a fire that also damaged a nearby building. Three other people were injured in the fire, and emergency responders had to intervene to extinguish the flames.
