A 33,000-litre tanker carrying diesel overturned on Friday morning along the Onitsha-Awka-Enugu Expressway, near the Army Gate in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The accident, which occurred around 7:05 AM, happened as the driver attempted to divert into a filling station along the expressway. Reports indicate that the driver lost control, causing the tanker to spill some of its contents before emergency responders arrived.
The accident blocked the Awka-bound lane, forcing authorities to divert vehicles to the Onitsha-bound lane, leading to heavy traffic congestion in the area.
Firefighters from the Anambra State Fire Service quickly arrived at the scene and sprayed chemical foam compound to prevent a fire outbreak, averting a potential disaster.
However, some residents were seen scooping the spilled diesel from the gutters, while security personnel struggled to control traffic and maintain order. As of the time of this report, the resulting gridlock had stretched from the Army Gate to the MCC axis of the expressway.
Confirming the incident, Anambra State Fire Chief, Chukwudi Chiketa, stated that the accident occurred as the tanker was about to discharge its content at a filling station beside the Army Gate’s fence.
“The driver, according to the tanker owner, failed to engage the handbrake, causing the vehicle to roll backward uncontrollably”, he explained.
He added that the driver sustained a head injury while attempting to jump out of the truck and was immediately rushed to the hospital. Thankfully, no lives were lost despite the full spillage of the tanker’s contents.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident, with its spokesperson, Margaret Onabe, stating that FRSC personnel had been deployed to the scene to manage traffic and restore order.
Authorities have urged motorists and residents to exercise caution around the affected area as cleanup efforts continue.
