Hundreds escape death in twin weekend tragedy

Tragedy was avoided in two separate events in Lagos at the weekend that could have led to the death of hundreds of Nigerians.
In one instance, what would have been another tragedy in the country’s aviation sector was avoided on Friday when an Aero Contractor flight with over 120 passengers from Lagos to Kaduna developed technical fault mid-air.

The aircraft was said to have suddenly lost altitude, 20 minutes after it departed the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, forcing the aircraft to wobble in the air for over one hour before it was eventually diverted to Abuja.
A passenger on the plane said that passengers had to make use of the oxygen masks as the plane continued to wobble, while dropping steadily.

Akintola said, “The plane lost altitude 20 minutes after takeoff. We had to make use of the oxygen masks. We saw smoke outside the plane, probably coming from the engine compartment.

“At this time, the whole plane was thrown into commotion. Many passengers screamed and some fainted. Prayers upon prayers were offered. Some shouted Allah, others Jesus”.
Also in Lagos, a number of residents in Idimu, Egbe Idimu Local Council Development Area escaped death on Saturday when a tanker carrying diesel crashed and burst into flames, consuming no fewer than 36 houses in the process.
Details of the crash are still sketchy but emergency agencies said on Saturday that it was too early to know if any one died in the inferno, which was said to have been fueled by the contents of the tanker, which spilled and spread along the road and its environs after it crashed.

The South-West Public Relations Officer of the National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, said that the response of the residents when the fire started, helped to avert a loss of lives in the crash.
He said, “About 36 houses were affected, but we thank God no one died. I can tell you that the situation has been brought under control.”

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