A devastating road accident at Agbede community along the Benin-Auchi road in Etsako West Local Government has claimed the lives of eight passengers, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed. The tragic incident, triggered by suspected brake failure, resulted in a fiery inferno that engulfed multiple vehicles.
Mr. Cyril Mathew, the Edo Sector Commander of the FRSC, delivered the somber news on Monday in Benin City. He stated that the accident occurred on Sunday and involved four vehicles, including two tankers laden with diesel and petroleum products.
“Based on reports from witnesses, one of the tankers lost its brakes while descending the hill and rammed into other vehicles, sparking a fire,” Mathew explained, painting a picture of the chaotic scene. The collision reportedly occurred as vehicles were ensnared in traffic at the bottom of the Ewu Hill, a notoriously steep descent along the Benin-Auchi route.
According to eyewitness accounts relayed by the FRSC commander, the initial impact ignited a fire that rapidly spread, trapping victims within their vehicles. Initially, two people perished at the scene, and four others were urgently transported to a nearby hospital for critical care.
“Tragically, one of the injured victims succumbed to his injuries on Monday morning, bringing the total death toll to eight,” Mathew stated with regret. Emergency responders, following the extinguishing of the blaze, recovered seven bodies from the wreckage, including the two who died on Sunday.
Adding a chilling detail to the tragedy, Mathew reported that eyewitnesses overheard the truck driver and his assistant frantically shouting, “No brake! No brake!” moments before the catastrophic collision with vehicles caught in the traffic congestion.
“The victims were reportedly trapped in the congestion and they were not involved in any illegal fuel scooping,” he clarified.
Despite the horrifying circumstances, Mr. Mathew commended the swift and decisive actions of FRSC personnel and local residents who responded rapidly to the emergency, preventing potentially even greater loss of life. An investigation into the precise cause of the brake failure is underway, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
