The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), confirmed that the death toll from Wednesday evening’s tragic accident involving a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-laden truck and several other vehicles near Karu Bridge, along the Abuja-Lokoja Expressway, has risen to eight.
Abdulrahman Mohammed, the Acting Director-General of the FEMD, provided the updated figures on Thursday while speaking with reporters at the scene of the incident.
Earlier, the FCT Police Command had reported in a statement, signed by Police Public Relations Officer SP Josephine Adeh, that six people had died and 14 vehicles were burnt in the accident.
However, Mohammed explained that of the six initial fatalities, four victims were burnt beyond recognition, and two additional victims succumbed to their injuries on Thursday morning, bringing the total death toll to eight.
“Five people were confirmed dead at the scene yesterday.
Among those injured, one died, making the total six.
This morning, after I instructed my team to conduct further checks, they discovered that two more victims had passed away, bringing the total to eight.
Four of those from yesterday were burnt beyond recognition,” Mohammed said.
In addition, he revealed that 30 individuals were currently receiving treatment in various hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“The injured are being treated at several hospitals: eight at Karu General Hospital, 10 at Customs Hospital, 11 at the National Hospital, and one at Aso Clinic, making a total of 30,” he added.
“I have also instructed my team to check Asokoro Hospital to verify if any victims were admitted there, but this is the latest information I have,” he continued.
The incident remains under investigation as authorities work to provide support to the victims and their families.
