Karu truck explosion: 10 die, 30 suffer burns, as another truck loses control

No less than 10 people lost their lives on Wednesday evening when a truck exploded at the Karu bridge along the Abuja-Keffi expressway.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has confirmed this while disclosing that another heavy-duty truck lost control around the same spot on Thursday.

However, there were no casualties recorded in Thursday’s incident.

According to Mark Nyam, Head of Forecasting Response and Mitigation of FEMD, eight bodies were deposited at the Karu Hospital Morgue, one at the Asokoro District Hospital Morgue, while another body was deposited at the National Hospital.

He stated that over 30 persons suffered various degrees of burns.

Some of the victims have been referred to Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, the Federal Medical Centre,Keffi and Cedarcrest Hospital Abuja for proper care.

No fewer than 10 vehicles were burnt in the incident.

In a statement, Nkechi Isa, Head of Public Affairs of FEMD, said the Acting Director General of the department, Engr Abdulrahman Mohammed, again appealed to motorists to observe traffic rules and regulations.

“He cautioned against reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, and poor maintenance of vehicles.

“Abdulrahman appealed to FCT residents to always use the 112 emergency toll-free number in the event of an emergency”, she added.