7 burnt to death as commercial bus catches fire in Lagos

Tragedy struck, yesterday, afternoon, when a commercial bus suddenly burst into flames at Iyana-Oworo, Gbagada area of Lagos State, killing no fewer than seven passengers, including a child.

It was reported the incident occurred at about 5 pm, as passersby rushed to put out the raging fire.

Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, confirmed the incident and casualties.

According to Oke-Osanyitolu, the commercial bus, a Mazda with the license plate KJA 699 GY, carrying 14 people, was found to have been completely destroyed by fire.

“Further investigation conducted on the site established that the driver’s carelessness and excessive speed caused the event, which led to the fire and the trapped 12 passengers.

“Thankfully, the driver only suffered minor burns; three adult females were rescued and sent to Gbagada General Hospital; and an adult man was treated on the spot by LASAMBUS.

“Unfortunately, seven victims—four females, two male adults, and one male youngster aboard the bus—were burnt to death.”

It was gathered that the agency’s LRT Paramedics, Lagos State Ambulance Service, and LASAMBUS personnel later bagged the victims’ burnt remains and handed them to the State Environmental Health Management Unit, SEHMU.

Men from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, or LASTMA, officials later removed the burnt vehicle from the road after cordoning off the location of the accident.

Additionally, police officers performed security and rescue operations.