A car suddenly exploded this afternoon near the main gate of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, sparking panic among students, staff, and residents in the vicinity.

Also Read: Panic in Calabar as Suspected Fuel Explosion Shakes City

Eyewitnesses said the vehicle reportedly parked in a staff parking lot erupted in flames with a loud blast at around 2:45 p.m. The explosion shattered nearby windows, sending a thick plume of black smoke rising above the campus. Some bystanders sustained minor injuries from flying glass and debris, but there are no confirmed fatalities as of now.

The university’s security team and the Rivers State Fire Service responded swiftly, evacuating nearby buildings and extinguishing the fire. Officials have cordoned off the scene and blocked off the affected road, causing major traffic delays around the campus.

In a brief statement, the university’s Public Relations Officer reassured the public: “We are working with security agencies to investigate the cause of the explosion. Our priority is ensuring the safety of everyone on our campus.”

The cause is under investigation. Initial reports suggest possibility of a mechanical malfunction or gas leak, but no official confirmation yet.

A 40-foot container truck overturned and crushed a commercial tricycle yesterday along Ijora Causeway, killing a serving police officer and a female passenger instantly.

Also Read: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Between Promise and Controversy

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the container, bearing registration number XP 368 AKD, lost control while attempting a dangerous manoeuvre under the Ijora Bridge. It toppled onto a tricycle (KJA 364 QN) carrying four people.

Two lives were lost on the spot, the police officer and one female passenger. The tricycle operator and another passenger sustained severe leg injuries and were rushed to Jimsan Hospital, Ijora for treatment.

Security operatives promptly moved in to retrieve the remains. The officer’s body was conveyed to the morgue in Yaba, while the family of the other victim collected her remains at the scene. Meanwhile, police units from Badia, Trinity, and Kirikiri divisions prevented irate onlookers from setting the truck ablaze during rescue efforts.

In a statement, LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the event as deeply tragic and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He also praised the swift response of emergency and security agencies. He warned that truck drivers must exercise extreme caution, particularly when navigating bridges, bends, or densely trafficked corridors to forestall future incidents.

The incident adds to a disturbing pattern of container-related crashes in Lagos, often linked to reckless driving, insufficient vehicle maintenance, and lax enforcement of road safety rules.

Tragedy struck on Monday afternoon when a fiery multi-vehicle crash claimed two lives along Interstate 35 in La Salle County, sending shockwaves through the South Texas community and causing hours-long gridlock on one of the busiest freight corridors in the United States.

Also Read: Why Crashes Happen: Inside the Anatomy of a Car Accident

According to the La Salle County Sheriff’s Department, the pileup occurred just before 4:00 p.m. near mile marker 55, a stretch of I-35 south of San Antonio that is heavily traveled by both commercial trucks and passenger vehicles.

Initial reports indicate that a pickup truck collided with a trailer, triggering a chain-reaction crash that quickly escalated into flames. Fire crews and emergency responders rushed to the scene to control the blaze and rescue survivors.

Sadly, two passengers inside the pickup truck were found dead at the scene, while the trailer driver escaped with only minor injuries. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased, pending family notification.

Traffic and Community Impact

The crash forced officials to shut down both directions of I-35 temporarily, creating a massive traffic backlog. Drivers reported being stranded for hours as emergency personnel cleared the wreckage and conducted preliminary investigations.

For residents of Cotulla and nearby La Salle County towns, the tragedy underscores the growing dangers of Texas highways, where long-haul trucking, high speeds, and heavy congestion often converge into deadly incidents.

Investigation Underway

The cause of the fiery crash remains under investigation. Authorities are examining factors such as:

• Speeding or reckless driving
• Driver fatigue (common among long-haul operators)
• Vehicle condition and possible mechanical failures
• Weather and road conditions at the time of the incident

La Salle County officials emphasized that the investigation could take days before a clear cause is determined.

Texas consistently ranks among the top states in the U.S. for road fatalities. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), more than 4,800 lives were lost in traffic accidents statewide in 2023, with I-35 being one of the most dangerous highways due to its heavy mix of passenger cars and freight traffic.

Highway safety advocates are calling for:

• Stricter enforcement of speed limits for commercial trucks
• Designated rest zones to reduce fatigue among drivers
• Roadway upgrades, including barriers and wider lanes to reduce pileups
• Public awareness campaigns on sharing the road safely with heavy trucks

Conclusion

The fiery I-35 tragedy in Cotulla is a grim reminder of how quickly lives can be lost on highways. While investigations continue, the families of the victims are left grieving, and questions loom about what more can be done to make one of America’s busiest freight corridors safer.