Four Die, Many injured and 16 vehicles in Flames as Tanker Exploded

Advertisement

four people lost their lives, and more than 16 vehicles were consumed by flames in a devastating tanker explosion that erupted on Tuesday night at Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The explosion, which occurred at 8:08 p.m., was caused by a 30-tonne gas tanker linked to a nearby gas station. Among the confirmed victims were the tanker driver, his assistant, an unidentified woman, and an auto technician, Rotimi Adeleye. However, some residents and shop owners claimed that more than ten bodies were recovered from the scene on Wednesday.

The impact of the explosion extended beyond the road, severely damaging a medical facility, De-Twist Dental Clinic, as well as the generator house and security post of a nearby church. A security guard at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Rafiu Jafar, described how the tanker driver desperately honked his horn while trying to avoid ramming into a building before the fatal blast. He recounted how the flames rapidly engulfed the area, leaving victims burnt beyond recognition.

Kolawole Ishola, the chairman of the Mechanic Association in the affected area, revealed that Adeleye had already closed for the day when he tried to save a customer’s car but got caught in the explosion. Tragically, both his personal vehicle and the one he attempted to move were completely destroyed in the fire.

Tola Kareem, a shop owner, narrowly escaped with her four children and an apprentice. She lost two newly restocked shops, two freezers, clothing items, and her personal vehicle in the inferno. Another victim, Blessing Sani, who worked in a burnt salon, estimated their total losses at over N10 million, including expensive hair products and customers’ belongings.

Advertisement

Emergency response teams, including the Federal Road Safety Corps, rushed to the scene to contain the disaster and prevent further casualties. The FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, expressed deep concern over the preventable nature of the accident, urging fleet managers and drivers to adhere strictly to safety measures when transporting hazardous materials. He warned that violators would face severe sanctions under national road traffic regulations.

Victims and business owners affected by the explosion have pleaded for government intervention, seeking urgent assistance to rebuild their lives after the catastrophic loss.