An explosion at Karu Bridge in Abuja on Wednesday evening caused widespread panic, leaving commuters stranded and emergency responders in a frantic rescue effort.
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) confirmed that the incident was caused by a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck that lost control, crashing into several vehicles before bursting into flames.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as motorists abandoned their vehicles and fled for safety while thick smoke and fire engulfed the area.
The explosion resulted in a major traffic gridlock between Kugbau and Nyanya, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.
Mark Nyam, Head of the Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation Division at FEMD, said the accident occurred at about 7:14 p.m., sparking a fire that consumed multiple vehicles and forced many to flee in fear.
Emergency teams quickly moved victims to the State House Clinic, as Asokoro Hospital and the National Hospital were reportedly overwhelmed.
While the exact number of casualties remains unknown, search-and-rescue efforts are still ongoing.
Personnel from FEMD, the Federal Fire Service, the FCT Fire Service, and the Nigeria Police are working to contain the situation, while the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have been deployed to manage traffic and ensure public safety.
The incident brought vehicular movement in the area to a standstill, with FRSC spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide describing the situation as “severe,” noting that many motorists abandoned their cars, worsening the congestion.
Authorities are yet to release an official casualty report, but the explosion has once again raised concerns about safety in the capital city.