A tragic tanker explosion near Karu Bridge in Abuja on Wednesday evening has been attributed to a brake failure, according to the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (PCNG) Initiative. The devastating incident, which involved a bi-fueled petrol tanker, may have claimed multiple lives and caused significant damage.
In a statement, the PCNG Initiative expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life, offering condolences to the families affected. The organization confirmed that initial reports suggest the accident was caused by a brake system failure, leading to the explosion of the tanker. However, it urged the public to refrain from speculation and wait for the results of a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the disaster.
The explosion occurred at approximately 7:14 PM on Wednesday near Karu Bridge, close to Kugbo and Nyanya, in the Federal Capital Territory. The FCT Emergency Management Department indicated that the accident also involved a CNG truck and several other vehicles.
While the investigation continues, the PCNG Initiative emphasized that safety standards must be a priority to prevent similar tragedies in the future. They praised the swift response of emergency services, including the Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), for their efforts in managing the situation and reducing further casualties.
“The PCNG Initiative is committed to working with the relevant authorities to ensure the safe use of cleaner energy alternatives like CNG,” the statement concluded. The organization assured that it would continue its efforts to uphold safety regulations and prevent incidents like this from occurring again.
