Two persons have lost their lives in a fuel-laden tanker explosion on Abakaliki–Onueke-Afikpo Expressway in Ebonyi.

Igwe Nnabuife, sector commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in the state, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in Abakaliki.

“One vehicle was involved. We have not been able to identify the registration number because the vehicle was burnt beyond recognition,” he said.

“The injured person was taken to Onueke General Hospital, Ezza-South Local Government Area of Ebonyi,”

The Sector Commander said the incident was unfortunate and the command had begun arrangements to take the burnt tanker off the road.

A firefighter and driver at Ebonyi Fire Service, who refused to mention his name, said that they were able to put out the fire by God’s intervention.

“We were able to put out the fire, but two persons were burnt beyond recognition, a driver and one other person in the tanker.

“We learnt that the tanker was trying to drive on the flyover bridge at the junction but unfortunately fell and caught fire.

“There were three persons in the tanker, but two were killed while one other person was seriously injured in the incident.