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Many have been feared dead in a petrol tanker explosion along the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu -Onitsha Expressway.
The accident left no fwer than 15 people, including three children.
The explosion, which occurred around 11:30am, on Saturday caused panic, affecting another petrol tanker and razing six other vehicles.
It was not however clear how the incident happened but witnesses said that the explosion occurred when a fuel-laden tanker fell while navigating down the hilly busy expressway.
Eyewitnesses described the explosion as devastating, saying that the ensuing fire also gutted another truck behind it, leading to the escalation of the fire.
Rescue efforts were reported hindered by the intensity of the fire, making it difficult for bystanders to access the scene.
Victims reportedly burnt beyond recognition were believed to be occupants of the vehicles caught in the inferno.
It was gathered that some of the victims were attempting to run away from the scene when they were caught by the fire.
An official of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Jonathan Atu who spoke to our correspondent in a television confirmed the accident and added that survivors are currently at the emergency unit of the ESUTH TEACHING HOSPITAL, PARKLANE ENUGU and are being attended to.
He did not however confirmed the number of dead persons in the explosion.