A tragic accident at the Karu bridge in Abuja on Wednesday claimed the lives of six people and left 25 others injured after a compressed natural gas-powered truck, loaded with cement, suffered brake failure and crashed into multiple vehicles.
The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed the incident, stating that the truck’s impact led to an explosion, engulfing several vehicles in flames.
The crash involved 18 vehicles, including two articulated trucks, two buses, one jeep, and 11 cars, many of which were severely damaged.
The FRSC public education officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, revealed that emergency responders, including the Red Cross, the fire service, and the military, promptly arrived at the scene to assist victims.
“The crash occurred at approximately 6:58 pm, with the FRSC receiving the report at 7:03 pm. More than 35 people were involved,” he said.
“The crash resulted in a tragic multiple vehicle crash, resulting in the loss of six lives and leaving 25 others injured.
“Out of the six lives lost, four were burnt beyond recognition.
“The injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention, while the dead were taken to the mortuary.”
FRSC officials, including FCT Sector Commander Chorrie Muta’a and senior officers from the Nyanya and Karu units, were on the ground to manage rescue operations.
The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, also visited the site to evaluate the damage and sympathize with the victims and their families.
Ogungbemide emphasized the importance of regular vehicle maintenance to prevent such disasters, urging drivers to ensure their vehicles are in top condition before any trip.
“The FRSC has been working tirelessly to reduce road crashes through aggressive sensitisation of passengers and enforcement of traffic laws,” he said.
“The corps has also been collaborating with other agencies to promote road safety awareness and prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.”
The unfortunate incident highlights the critical need for strict vehicle inspections and adherence to road safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
