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Tragedy on Karu-Nyanya Road: CNG Truck Explosion Sparks Fire and Chaos

Tragedy on Karu-Nyanya Road: CNG Truck Explosion Sparks Fire and ChaosThe FCT Citizens Engagement Platform reports on the devastating March 19 accident, highlighting causes, emergency response, and urgent safety measures needed to prevent future disasters.

Overview
Yesterday evening March 19, 2025, a devastating accident occurred near Karu Bridge on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, involving a truck carrying Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The truck reportedly lost control due to brake failure, colliding with multiple vehicles and triggering an explosion and fire. The incident resulted in fatalities, injuries, and severe property damage, causing major traffic disruption.


Incident Details
Date & Time: March 19, 2025, around 6:58 PM WAT.
Location: Karu Bridge, between Kugbo and Nyanya, along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway.
Cause: A CNG-laden truck, possibly carrying cement, suffered brake failure, leading to a multi-vehicle collision and subsequent explosion.

Impact:
Casualties: Official reports confirm six deaths and 25 injuries, though eyewitnesses suggest higher numbers.
Property Damage: Fire destroyed between 14 and 30 vehicles, including private cars, buses, and trucks.
Traffic Disruption: The explosion caused severe gridlock, with commuters stranded for hours.

Emergency Response
Agencies Involved: Federal and FCT emergency services, including FRSC, NEMA, the NEMSAS, Fire Service, Police, and the Red Cross.

Actions Taken:

  • Firefighters battled the blaze while rescuers extracted trapped victims.
  • Six bodies were recovered, and the injured were taken to hospitals, though some facilities were overwhelmed.
  • The area was secured, and traffic was redirected, with normal flow restored by March 20.

  • Response Time: Nyanya Fire Station responded within minutes, earning praise for their swift intervention.

  • Official Statements
    FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD): Confirmed the accident was due to a CNG truck losing control, leading to the explosion.
    FRSC: Reported 18 affected vehicles and attributed the crash to brake failure.
    FCT Police Command: Confirmed six deaths and 14 burned vehicles, pledging a thorough investigation.
    Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGI): Expressed condolences and called for enhanced safety measures, noting that an intact CNG cylinder suggests the explosion may have originated from a struck petrol tanker.
    NEMSAS: 7 victims was brought to the Asokoro hospital of they were treated and discharge 7patients was taken to national hospital and 2 patients to cedar crest hospital Gudu, lost 1 who is the mortuary and 7others treated and discharged home

  • Eyewitness Accounts
    Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with the truck speeding uncontrollably before colliding with traffic. Reports indicate the fire spread rapidly due to the CNG, engulfing vehicles before emergency services could intervene.

  • Investigation & Safety Concerns
    Authorities, including regulatory agencies, are probing whether the explosion was CNG-related or caused by a petrol tanker impact. The incident has sparked debates on CNG vehicle safety, calling for stricter regulations, improved truck maintenance, and enhanced driver training.

Recommendations
Stricter Vehicle Maintenance: Mandatory safety checks for trucks transporting hazardous materials.
Improved Road Safety: Better monitoring, speed limit enforcement, and stricter regulations in high-risk areas.
Enhanced Emergency Preparedness: Increased hospital capacity and better agency coordination during crises.

Conclusion
The Karu-Nyanya accident highlights the risks of transporting compressed gases and underscores the need for stringent safety measures. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities focused on victim support, restoring normalcy, and preventing future tragedies.

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