By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The death toll from the tanker explosion at the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway has climbed to 23, following the deaths of two additional victims who had been receiving treatment in the hospital.
Franklin Agbakoba, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Enugu State Command, confirmed the latest fatalities on Tuesday in Enugu. He stated that two female victims—one at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, and another at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu—succumbed to their injuries after battling for about a week.
The deadly incident occurred on January 25, at approximately 11:30 a.m., when a fuel-laden tanker suffered a brake failure, overturned, and exploded. The inferno engulfed multiple vehicles, killing 11 people instantly before emergency responders could arrive.
The situation worsened in the days that followed:
January 26: The death toll rose to 18.
January 29: The number of fatalities increased to 21.
February 5: The latest update brings the toll to 23.
Following the explosion, emergency personnel, including FRSC officers and the Enugu State Fire Service, swiftly responded to the scene.
The fire was eventually extinguished, and the bodies of the deceased were evacuated, while injured survivors were rushed to major hospitals in Enugu.
According to Agbakoba, five victims were initially admitted to UNTH:
One succumbed to injuries at the end of January.
Another remains hospitalized.
Three victims from the same family were discharged against medical advice and opted for traditional treatment at home.
At the ESUTH Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu:
Three female victims remain hospitalized.
Two patients were referred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital due to severe burns.
At the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu:
One of the three victims admitted six days ago has died.
Two remain in critical condition.
They were later joined by another victim referred from ESUTH.
Agbakoba had previously disclosed that the tragic accident involved 44 individuals, as well as 16 vehicles (both commercial and private) and a commercial tricycle.
In total:
23 people have now lost their lives (8 males and 15 females).
Another 23 sustained injuries and were treated across three major government hospitals:
UNTH Ituku-Ozalla
ESUTH Teaching Hospital, Parklane
National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu.
The rising death toll underscores the severity of burn injuries and the urgent need for improved emergency response and medical facilities in Nigeria. Authorities have continued investigations into the accident, with calls for stricter safety regulations for fuel tankers to prevent similar tragedies in the future.