Karu Explosion Caused by CNG Truck, FCT Agency Confirms

Karu Explosion Caused by CNG Truck, FCT Agency Confirms

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has confirmed that a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) truck caused the explosion at Karu Bridge, leading to a severe traffic gridlock between Kugbo and Nyanya in Abuja on Wednesday evening.

Mark Nyam, Head of the Forecasting, Response, and Mitigation Division at FEMD, disclosed this in a statement signed by the department’s Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa.

According to Nyam, the incident occurred around 7:14 p.m. when the driver of the CNG truck lost control and crashed into other vehicles, triggering multiple explosions.

Eyewitness footage shared by FEMD showed scenes of devastation, with an unidentified bystander narrating that several people were burned alive. “Oh! Look at human beings on the ground. This is Karu Bridge, people are burning,” the witness exclaimed before fleeing as another gas canister exploded.

Nyam stated that some victims were rushed to the State House Clinic for treatment after Asokoro Hospital and the National Hospital reached capacity. He did not disclose the casualty figures but confirmed that rescue operations were ongoing.

Emergency responders at the scene included personnel from FEMD, the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, Nigeria Police, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

FRSC spokesperson Olusegun Ogungbemide also confirmed the incident, noting that details remained unclear. However, he reported that the explosion caused severe congestion, with panicked commuters abandoning their vehicles to flee the scene.