Chaos erupted in Abuja on Wednesday evening as a devastating explosion at Karu Bridge sent shockwaves through the city, leaving commuters stranded and emergency responders scrambling to manage the crisis.
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) confirmed that the catastrophic blast was caused by a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck that lost control, colliding with several vehicles before erupting into flames.
Eyewitnesses recounted a scene of horror, as motorists abandoned their vehicles and fled for their lives while fireballs and thick smoke billowed skyward from the explosion.
The blast resulted in a massive traffic jam between Kugbau and Nyanya, leaving thousands stranded.
Mark Nyam, Head of the Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation Division of FEMD, revealed that the accident occurred at approximately 7:14 p.m., igniting an inferno that engulfed vehicles and sent terrified commuters fleeing in all directions.
Emergency teams rushed victims to the State House Clinic, as both Asokoro Hospital and the National Hospital were already overwhelmed.
The number of casualties remains uncertain, but authorities confirm that search-and-rescue operations are ongoing.
Personnel from the FEMD, the Federal Fire Service, the FCT Fire Service, and the Nigeria Police are working tirelessly to secure the area, while the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have been deployed to manage the unfolding crisis.
The explosion triggered a severe traffic nightmare, bringing movement on the affected route to a complete standstill.
FRSC spokesman Olusegun Ogungbemide described the situation as “severe,” confirming that panicked motorists abandoned their cars, exacerbating the congestion.
Authorities have yet to provide an official casualty report, but the extent of the destruction and the panic signals yet another grim tragedy in the heart of the capital city.
