The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that 18 people lost their lives and 16 vehicles were destroyed in the tragic tanker fire explosion that occurred on January 25, 2025, along the Ugwu Onyeama Expressway in Enugu State.
A joint assessment team comprising NEMA, the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (ENSEMA), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) investigated the incident to determine its cause, assess the damage, and identify those affected.
According to a press statement from NEMA on Monday, the explosion resulted from a truck carrying a full load of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, suffering brake failure while attempting to ascend an elevated section of the expressway. As the truck rolled backward, it crashed into roadside barriers and vehicles behind it, spilling its contents, which then ignited.
The fire engulfed 16 vehicles carrying 44 passengers. Tragically, 18 people were burned beyond recognition, while 23 sustained varying degrees of burns. Three passengers escaped without injuries. The injured victims were taken to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) Parklane and the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu.
So far, nine patients have been treated and discharged, while six remain hospitalized at the orthopedic hospital.
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Most of the victims were travelers, with no specific community or state of origin.
Meanwhile, NEMA Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has expressed deep sympathy for the victims and commended first responders for their swift evacuation efforts. She has also directed NEMA’s Enugu Zonal Office to collaborate with relevant authorities to provide immediate support to those affected.
