Tragedy struck on Saturday afternoon as a cement-laden truck lost control and crashed into multiple vehicles on Karu Bridge, along the busy Kugbo-Karu axis of the Federal Capital Territory. The horrifying accident has left several people feared dead and many others injured.
According to eyewitnesses, the heavy-duty truck was descending the notoriously steep Kugbo hill when it reportedly suffered brake failure. Unable to stop, the vehicle barreled into oncoming traffic, crushing several cars and trapping passengers in the wreckage.
“The truck came down the hill at full speed and just couldn’t stop,” said one witness. “It smashed into cars like they were toys. It was terrifying.”
In the chaos that followed, the driver of the truck allegedly attempted to flee the scene but was intercepted near the Karu Roundabout by a group of commercial motorcyclists, who handed him over to authorities.
Emergency response teams, including operatives from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), arrived swiftly to begin rescue operations, evacuating injured victims and working to free those trapped in mangled vehicles. The scene quickly drew a large crowd of onlookers, further compounding the traffic gridlock that stretched for kilometers.
As of press time, the exact number of casualties had not been confirmed, but reports from multiple sources suggest a significant death toll, given the severity of the impact.
This incident comes just weeks after a similar crash on the same bridge involving a Dangote truck powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), which also suffered brake failure and claimed several lives.
Residents and commuters have called on authorities to address the recurring tragedies on the Karu Bridge, urging better road safety measures, regular vehicle inspections, and improved enforcement to prevent future occurrences.
