The number of people who have died from the tanker explosion on the Ugwu-Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway has now reached 23.
This was confirmed by Franklin Agbakoba, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Enugu State, on Tuesday. He revealed that two more female victims lost their lives while receiving treatment in the hospital.
The tragic accident happened on January 25 at about 11:30 a.m. A fuel tanker carrying petrol had brake failure, lost control, and overturned. The tanker then exploded, leading to a massive fire that immediately claimed the lives of 11 people before emergency responders arrived.
According to reports, officers of the FRSC worked alongside the Enugu State Fire Service to put out the fire. Once the flames were under control, they removed the bodies of those who had died and rushed the injured to different hospitals in Enugu for urgent medical attention.
Rising Death Toll
Initially, 11 people were confirmed dead at the scene. However, the number increased to 18 the following day. Four days later, it rose again to 21, and now it has reached 23, following the deaths of two more victims in the hospital.
One of the latest victims was receiving treatment at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, while the other was at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu. Both fought for their lives for about a week but sadly passed away.
Agbakoba also gave updates on the injured survivors. Out of the five patients admitted to UNTH, one had died earlier, while one female patient is still receiving treatment. Meanwhile, three other patients, who are members of the same family, decided to leave the hospital against medical advice and sought traditional treatment at home.
At ESUTH Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, three female victims are still in the hospital. Two others were in such a critical condition that they were transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital for better treatment.
At the National Orthopaedic Hospital, one of the three victims taken there died recently. The remaining two survivors were joined by another patient transferred from ESUTH Teaching Hospital.
The Full Impact of the Accident
Commander Agbakoba previously reported that the accident involved a total of 44 people and 16 vehicles, which included both private and commercial cars, as well as a tricycle.
Among those injured, 23 people—8 men and 15 women—were taken to three major hospitals in Enugu for treatment:
- University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla
- ESUTH Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu
- National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu
The incident has left many families grieving, while survivors continue to battle serious injuries. Authorities have urged drivers, especially those handling fuel tankers, to ensure that their vehicles are in good working condition to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
