BREAKING: Enugu tanker explosion: Death toll rises to 23 as two more victims die — FRSC

The death toll from the tanker explosion on the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway has increased from 21 to 23, as confirmed by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Enugu State, Mr. Franklin Agbakoba, said in Enugu on Tuesday that an additional two female victims succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment in hospital.

The explosion occurred on 25th January 2025 at approximately 11:30 a.m., when a fuel-laden tanker suffered a brake failure, overturned, and exploded. Initial reports indicated that 11 road users had died before emergency responders arrived at the scene.

According to reports, the deceased were evacuated by FRSC officers after officials of the Enugu State Fire Service extinguished the blaze, and the injured were taken to various hospitals in Enugu for treatment.

The death toll rose to 18 after a day, 21 after four days, and now stands at 23.

Agbakoba confirmed that the additional two victims—one admitted to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla and the other to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu—passed away after fighting for their lives for about a week.

He further explained that out of the five patients who were admitted to UNTH six days ago, one died at the end of the month, and one female is still under treatment. The remaining three patients, who were from the same family, were discharged against medical advice and chose to seek traditional treatment for their injuries at home.

Regarding the five victims admitted to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) Teaching Hospital, Agbakoba noted that three female victims remain hospitalised, while two others had been transferred to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu, due to severe burns.

Additionally, of the three victims admitted to the National Orthopedic Hospital, one passed away, and the remaining two were joined by one more patient referred from ESUTH Teaching Hospital. However, Agbakoba remarked that one patient referred from ESUTH did not report to the National Orthopedic Hospital as expected.

Earlier reports indicated that the incident involved 44 people and 16 vehicles, including both commercial and private vehicles as well as a commercial tricycle. Of the injured, 23 individuals, including eight males and 15 females, were rushed to three major government hospitals in Enugu: UNTH Ituku-Ozalla, ESUTH Teaching Hospital, and the National Orthopedic Hospital.