Two persons had been burnt beyond recognition, while three others sustained injuries when a tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol) exploded at Ilo-Awela Junction, at Toll-Gate area on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
Ahmed Umar, the Ogun sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), confirmed the explosion occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Mr Umar explained that the tanker carrying petrol was ascending from Ilo-Awela to the tollgate area, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, when it lost control, fell and went up in flames.
The sector commander said 12 vehicles, comprising three luxurious buses, four tricycles, three motorcycles and a yellow bus, were involved in the explosion.
Mr Umar added that the victims’ corpses had been deposited at State Hospital, Ota, while the survivors, including two males and a female, are also receiving treatment at the same hospital.
He also mentioned that the personnel of the fire service were contacted immediately, and the area had been cordoned to prevent any secondary crash.
The sector commander said the FRSC personnel and other sister agencies were on the ground to control traffic gridlock and ease traffic flow in the area.
He advised tanker owners to install safety valves and ensure that their vehicles were in condition before putting them on the road to avert unnecessary mishaps.
(NAN)
