A catastrophic chain of explosions on the Abuja-Keffi expressway was triggered by a CNG truck experiencing brake failure, the FCT Fire Service (FFS) has confirmed. Hobnob News reports on the devastating incident and the ongoing rescue operations.
The FFS Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Mohammad, disclosed that the truck, laden with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) canisters, lost control while heading towards the Nyanya axis from AYA. This brake failure led to a collision with multiple vehicles along the route, setting off a series of violent explosions.
“And as a result of the impact on the vehicles and the impact of its own CNG-loaded containers, they started flying out of the truck and anywhere it landed, even about 900 meters away, there was an impact,” Mohammad explained. “The impact led to fire which resulted in casualties.”
The force of the impact caused the CNG canisters to be ejected from the truck, landing and exploding across a wide area, approximately 900 meters from the initial collision site. The resulting fires caused significant damage and casualties.
Rescue operations are still underway to determine the full extent of the damage and the number of lives affected. “Figures of casualties have not been given as rescue operation is still ongoing to see the number of lives that are involved,” Mohammad stated.
The search is particularly challenging due to the severity of the fires, which have reduced some vehicles to ashes. “Some vehicles that were burnt to ashes have to be thoroughly investigated whether people are trapped inside them and that is why search is still ongoing even with searchlights as we speak,” the spokesperson added.
Mohammad assured that the FFS will release the casualty figures once the search and rescue operations are completed. The Federal and FCT fire services, along with other agencies, are currently working at the scene.
This tragic incident highlights the potential dangers associated with the transportation of CNG and the importance of stringent safety measures. Hobnob News will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
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