Again, tanker explodes in Lagos

A tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on Thursday morning rolled over and burst into flames on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos causing panic among commuters plying the route.

Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Acting Zonal Coordinator, South West Zonal Office, NEMA, confirmed the development to our reporter in Lagos.

Farinloye said the incident occurred about 9.15a.m., at Toyota Bus Stop, close to the Oshodi-Airport Road junction and directly in front of the Lagos State Fire Service Station located in the area.

He said the tanker, which was fully loaded with 44,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) when the incident occurred.

“The tanker crashed on the side with another trailer on the motion. The trailer was fully loaded with iron rods.

”It is believed that the two vehicles were trying to outsmart each other before the incident happened,” Farinloye said.

According to him, officials of the fire service have successfully separated the tanker body from the head and are making efforts to put out the inferno.

Farinloye disclosed that no casualty had been confirmed yet from the incident.

It was reported that a similar incident had occurred on Dec. 19, 2020, when another diesel tanker exploded on the Michael Otedola Bridge causing panic among commuters plying the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The tanker was fully loaded with 44,000 litres of AGO and was moving toward Berger axis of the expressway when one of its tyres bursted into flames.

No casualty was however recorded in the incident.