A tragic tanker explosion on Tuesday night on Otedola Bridge, Lagos, has left two people dead, four injured, and a trail of destruction in its wake. The incident, which involved a 30-tonne DAF gas truck, triggered a massive inferno that destroyed four buildings, 15 vehicles, and several shops, while also affecting a private hospital and a church.
According to the Lagos State Police Command, the explosion occurred when the gas truck attempted to ascend the link road to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Otedola Bridge. The vehicle reportedly somersaulted, spilling its contents and igniting an immediate fire.
CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident at 10:30 p.m., stating, “The accident was suspected to have occurred when the vehicle was trying to ascend the link road to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by Otedola Bridge. Consequently, the vehicle somersaulted, spilled its entire contents on the road, and fire ignited immediately.”
Hundeyin added that the registration number and make of the vehicle were still unknown. He revealed that two charred bodies had been recovered, while the total number of casualties remained unconfirmed. “A total of four buildings, 15 burnt vehicles, including tricycles, an unspecified number of shops, and household properties were lost in the inferno,” he said.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provided a slightly different account, confirming one death and four injuries. Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA’s South West Coordinator, stated that 14 vehicles, four shops, and one commercial storey building were affected by the fire.
Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, earlier disclosed that the fire had spread to a church, an adjoining bungalow, and four vehicles. The explosion caused widespread panic, with motorists scrambling to escape the scene. Some drivers made hasty U-turns, while others abandoned their vehicles to avoid being trapped in the inferno.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers posed by tanker accidents on Lagos roads, particularly on busy bridges like Otedola. The bridge has been the site of several similar incidents in recent years, raising concerns about the safety of transporting hazardous materials through densely populated areas.
Emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire Service, NEMA, and the police, worked tirelessly to contain the blaze and rescue victims. However, the extent of the damage and the loss of lives underscore the need for stricter safety measures and better enforcement of traffic regulations for vehicles carrying flammable materials.
The Lagos State Government has been urged to take proactive steps to prevent such tragedies in the future. Stakeholders have called for improved road infrastructure, regular safety checks on tankers, and the establishment of dedicated routes for vehicles transporting hazardous goods.
As rescue operations continue, authorities are expected to provide more updates on the number of casualties and the extent of the damage. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with inadequate safety measures and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect lives and property in Lagos.
The affected families and businesses are left to pick up the pieces, while the broader community mourns the loss of lives and grapples with the aftermath of yet another preventable tragedy. The Lagos State Government has been called upon to provide support to the victims and ensure that such incidents are avoided in the future.
