Lagos tanker explosion: wreckage being cleared

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says emergency officials are clearing the wreckage from the multiple accidents that occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday.

Lagos FRSC Sector Commander, Mr Hyginus Omeje, who gave the update on Friday added that the number of persons who died in still stands at nine.

“Yesterday, nine persons burned beyond recognition and, of course, four others that were injured sustained various degrees of burns and were taken to the hospital.”

Omeje, who maintained that there is no new information, revealed that FRSC officials, as well as that of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other agencies, arrived at the scene early this morning.

He explained that they were back to the scene of the accident to commence the “actual removal” of burnt vehicles from the road to ease the flow of traffic on the axis.

The sector commander stressed that the exercise was needed to remove the wreckage and open the road finally as the officials were able to put a few vehicles by the roadside the previous day.

In the meantime, he advised motorists to take alternate routes to bypass the accident scene and allow the emergency officials do their job.

A fuel-laden tanker heading out of Lagos toward Ibadan lost control on Thursday and fell on the Otedola bridge along the highway, leading to an explosion which burnt at least 50 other vehicles.

In his condolence message to the victims, President Muhammadu Buhari said he was very sad to learn of the tragic loss of lives, tens of vehicles, property and other valuables in the incident.

The President who also sympathised with the government and people of Lagos urged the emergency services and law enforcement officials to do their best to limit the losses and damage from the incident.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, described the accident as a sad development, saying it was most unfortunate and regrettable.

He said, “On behalf of the Lagos State Government, we extend our deepest commiseration to the families of persons who lost their lives as well as properties to the incident.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this time of pain and grief. As a government, we would not relent in putting measures in place to ensure the safety of lives and property of all residents,” Bamigbetan added in a statement.