A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday morning in Benin City, Edo State, when a Compressed Natural Gas powered vehicle exploded at the NIPCO filling station situated at Aduwawa along the Benin-Auchi Expressway.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the aftermath of the explosion shows debris scattered across the scene, with terrified onlookers fleeing for safety as the deafening blast sent shockwaves through the area.
The loud noise generated immediate panic among residents, forcing many to take cover.
Reports indicated that three individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries and were swiftly transported to a private hospital for urgent medical treatment.
This explosion comes amid growing safety concerns regarding the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to CNG, a transition being promoted by the Federal Government as a strategy to reduce transportation costs following the removal of fuel subsidies.
The incident has sparked renewed debates about the safety protocols surrounding the use of CNG vehicles, particularly in urban areas.
