LAGOS: Tragedy as petrol tanker explosion engulfs 54 vehicles, kills 9

Tragedy struck in Lagos on Thursday as petrol tanker exploded following an accident, leading to the burning of several vehicles and the killing of some people.

The petrol tanker went up in flames close to the Otedola Jubilee Estate on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Following the ghastly accident, the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) said over 20 vehicles were burnt in the accident.

“A tanker which had break failure loaded with PMS caught fire on the Otedola Bridge INW Berger. The number of vehicles affected is 20+, Traffic Situation is @ a stand still, all alternative routes advised ATM” the agency said on its Twitter handle.

However, after extensive emergency service and collection of information at the scene, Tiamiyu Adesina, General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency provided a comprehensive situation report.

He said “On getting to the scene of the incident it was discovered that a Mack tanker truck loaded with 33 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) moving inward Berger at about 5:23pm, fell and spilled its content on the road resulting into fire outbreak.

Read also: WHO reveals new drug to save bleeding mothers during childbirth, as 70,000 die yearly

“Further investigation by the Lasema Response Team. Unfortunately 9 bodies were confirmed dead and recovered from the scene (8 adults and 1 minor) and 4 persons sustain various degrees of injuries and taken to the hospital. A total number of 54 vehicles were completely burnt as a result of the inferno.

“The Agency’s LASEMA Response Team, men of Lagos State Fire Service, LRU fire, LSNC, NSCDC, FRSC, LASAMBUS, LASTMA, SEHMU, LSPWC and Nigeria Police Force from Alausa and Isheri Division were the responders present at the scene. Effort on going to recover all burnt vehicles off the road. Recovery operations ongoing”.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his condolences to the people and government of Lagos State. His new media aide, Bashir Ahmad, tweeted, “President @MBuhari sympathizes with the Government and people of Lagos State, and the victims of the tanker fire incident at the #OtedolaBridge. May the souls of the dead rest in peace, and may God comfort all those who lost loved ones. The entire country mourns with you”.

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now