A gas tanker explosion at Karu Bridge along the Abuja-Nyanya-Keffi highway, near the federal capital of Nigeria, on Wednesday evening has left multiple vehicles destroyed and raised fears of significant casualties.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the fire spread rapidly, consuming several vehicles and trapping occupants inside. The explosion also triggered severe gridlock along the busy highway.
“The incident happened so fast. Several vehicles were burnt,” said Fatima Diamond, a witness at the scene. “I personally counted five, but I heard it affected over 20 vehicles. I had to escape with the help of a motorcycle.”
Counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama cited accounts from other witnesses who described the fire engulfing vehicles as people scrambled to safety.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and medical teams, arrived to contain the blaze and assist victims. A survivor recounted, “I saw the tanker coming at high speed, swerving dangerously before it crashed. Within seconds, there was an explosion, and fire spread everywhere.”
Authorities have yet to confirm the number of casualties as rescue operations continue.
