A devastating fuel tanker truck explosion has claimed 18 lives in Nigeria Southeastern Enugu State, NRSA National Road Safety Agency reported in Saturday. The tragic incident comes just after a week when another fuel tanker explosion in north of the country claimed lives of around 100 people.
According to Olusegun Ogungbemide, the spokesperson of Federal Road Safety Corps, the tanker’s braked failed causing the drive to lose balance and eventually crashing into around a dozen other vehicles on an expressway. Olusegun said ” 10 people were rescued with different degrees of injuries and another three were unarmed unfortunately the remaining 18 victims were burnt beyond recognition”.
The accident highlights the increasing frequency of fuel tanker accidents in Nigeria, which authorities blame to poor road conditions and reckless driving, the combination of the two has resulted in numerous fatal accidents.
The Nigerian government is facing criticism for it’s handling of the country’s road safety. However authorities have promised to improve the road conditions and enforce stricter safety rules and regulations, but many Nigerian remain skeptical if the government’s promises.
The latest fuel tanker incident has raised concerns among the citizens with the citizens urging the government to take actions to prevent these tragedies from occuring in future.
