Tragic Gasoline Tanker Explosion Claims 18 Lives in Southern Nigeria

A devastating explosion involving a gasoline tanker in southern Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people and injuries to 10 others. The incident occurred on January 26, 2025, along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway in Enugu state, where the tanker, filled with gasoline, reportedly lost control and collided with 17 other vehicles before erupting into flames, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The spokesperson for the safety corps, Olusegun Ogungbemide, indicated that many of the victims were "burnt beyond recognition." In addition to the injured, rescue efforts successfully extracted three individuals unharmed from the scene of the accident.

This tragic event highlights a broader issue in Nigeria, where a lack of an efficient railway system for cargo transport has led to frequent and fatal truck accidents on major roads. Earlier this month, a similar incident in north-central Nigeria resulted in the deaths of 98 people when an explosion occurred while individuals attempted to transfer gasoline from a crashed tanker.

In response to the ongoing dangers associated with gasoline handling, including the common practice of scooping gasoline from fallen tankers for personal use, authorities have initiated a nationwide campaign to mitigate these hazardous actions. The situation has been exacerbated by rising gasoline prices following the removal of subsidies by President Bola Tinubu's administration.