A fully-loaded 33,000-litre fuel tanker exploded on Otedola Bridge along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, yesterday killing many people and razing about 67 vehicles.
10 bodies burnt beyond recognition has been recovered so far.
The tragedy occurred at about 6.05p.m., after the fuel-laden tanker, which was heading inwards Berger, had a brake failure. While the driver was trying to control the tanker, it reportedly rammed into one of the vehicles and exploded. An eyewitness, Maria Oje, described her escape as the handiwork of God. She narrated, in tears, how she saw some motorists’ failed attempt to run for safety. Her words: “One of them, who was on fire, fell down, as he could not run any longer. Nobody could rescue them as everyone was also running for dear life.” Some motorists abandoned their vehicles and fled in different directions. Family members were said to be looking for their relatives, after escaping. Among them was a woman, who was sighted crying in search of her twin girls. Rescue operators were seen battling to contain the situation. Those present at the scene included the Police, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA; Lagos State Fire Service; the state’s Ambulance Service; Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, among others. Vehicles were stopped on both sides of the road, as rescue operation continued. This caused a traffic gridlock, which stretched to the Third Mainland Bridge.
