Four persons have been hospitalised following a collision and explosion involving two tankers at Dan Magaji area along the Zaria–Kaduna Expressway on Monday.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred in the early hours of the day and involved a tanker carrying Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and another empty tanker.
The impact of the collision resulted in a fire outbreak, leaving four individuals with varying degrees of burns.
Confirming the incident, Nasir Abdullahi Falgore, Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Zaria Unit Command, said the LNG-laden tanker rammed into the rear of the empty tanker after the latter reportedly suffered a tyre puncture.
Also speaking, the Area Commander of the Federal Fire Service in Zaria, Aminu Ahmadu Kiyawa, said his men responded swiftly after receiving a distress call.
“Three persons sustained burns from the explosion involving the gas-laden tanker, while one other victim was evacuated from the second tanker. All four were rushed to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, for medical attention,” Kiyawa said.
He dismissed earlier rumours suggesting that smaller vehicles were involved, stating: “When we arrived at the scene, only the two tankers were involved. There was no smaller vehicle involved and no fatalities recorded.”
Passersby who witnessed the incident also confirmed that only the two tankers were involved.
