Many killed, vehicles burnt as tanker explodes on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

There has been a ghastly accident in Lagos caused by a petrol tanker. The petrol tanker went up in flames close to the Otedola Jubilee Estate on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. “A petrol tanker was trying to overtake another vehicle and the petrol laden tank broke off from the back of the vehicle,” a witness told reporters.

Many people are feared killed in the accident with several vehicles burnt. Law enforcement and fire service officials are at the scene. The Lagos State traffic 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.

The casualty figures from the accident are yet to be ascertained, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has said. Tiamiyu Adesina, the agency’s General Manager, confirmed on Thursday night that there were fatalities and some victims are being taken to the hospital. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be confirmed, he said.

details later