The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, has confirmed nine people dead and 53 vehicles burnt in the aftermath of the fuel tanker explosion on Otedola Bridge, inward Berger area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Thursday.
General Manager, LASEMA, Adesina Tiamiyu told Lagos Panorama that the tanker fell around 5:53pm and exploded, while vehicle behind it were caught in the fire.
He said nine people were burnt beyond recognition while four others were rescued, with two in critical condition and two others with minor injuries.
According to him, 53 vehicles were consumed in the inferno, describing the incident as a sad one.
Tiamiyu added that officials of LASTMA, FRSC, LASEMA, Police, fire services, among others were still at the scene trying to evacuate the remains of the tanker and vehicles and free the road for vehicular movement.
Adesina Tiamiyu said his men were on the scene to try and salvage the situation, as the area had been condoned off.
“We are trying to extinguish the fire from the vehicles and check for possible causalities from the explosion,” he said.
The General Manager, however, lamented that commuters’ interference with rescue operation had continued to impede officials from completing the exercise.
According to LASTMA, “a tanker which had break failure loaded with PMS caught fire on the Otedola Bridge inward Berger. The number of vehicles affected is 20+, Traffic situation is at a stand still, all alternative routes advised.”
Watch the video below:
LASTMA@followlastmaAn Exploded Tanker with so many Vehicles burnt on the Lagos Ibadan Express way just by Otedola Bridge INW Berger to Ibadan [18:00Hrs]
