A tanker explosion on Otedola Bridge around Ojodu Berger, Lagos has led to the loss of 9 lives and over 50 vehicles.
The Federal Road Safety Corps spokesperson, Mr Bisi Kazeem, confirmed the number of casualties in the fire that started around 5pm when a tanker carrying PMS collapsed and spilled its content resulting in uncontrollable fire.
According to an unnamed eyewitness, the fire ran fast engulfing cars in the traffic behind the tanker as people tried to run for their lives. Contrary to the official casualty report, unconfirmed reports say over hundred lives were claimed in the inferno.
Over 150 people got burnt in this fire guys.
Fire service came 45 min later FAM fuxking 45 minutes— LolA with the duffle bag… (@L3galtool) June 28, 2018
“I can’t believe I am alive, I can’t believe how I escaped; so many people have died today” | @Biolawilz narrates his heart wrenching experience from the explosion on Otedola bridge.
Cc @followlasg @AkinwunmiAmbode pic.twitter.com/bcEbBBZpPP
— Y! Online #WorldCup (@YNaija) June 28, 2018
A colleague was saved with 3 kids… her car burnt. A no of #TankerExplosions had happened arnd #Otedola bridge in the past, no enquiry, no report, no speed breaker installed, no emergency response station positioned nearby. People lose their lives for just being #Nigerians @LASG
— Boye Oloyede (@BoyeOloyede) June 28, 2018
Nigerians on social media express pain and worry
I have no words for what is happening at Otedola. The lives wasted, dreams cut short, people incinerated, hopes destroyed, families decimated.
I don’t have the strenght or the tears again. My heart is even too heavy to pray.
Why so much sorrow and horror?
— No Ketchup Podcast (@joeyakan) June 28, 2018
I have no words, don’t know what to think. My family and I are always on this Otedola route, it’s just so surreal that this could have been anybody, anyone at all.
Such a sad and painful way to transcend earth.
I pray for everyone who has lost someone in anyway. Peace be with you— Eva (@EvaAlordiah) June 28, 2018
Within a twinkle of an eye, a tanker carrying inflammable liquid caught fire along Otedola roundabout axis of Lagos-Ibadan expressway leading to burning of over 20 vehicles and yet to be known number of Human being. This is too much oh God. (28/6/2018). pic.twitter.com/iu6CS0JCVV
— #PrayForNigeria 🇳🇬💔 (@Bhadoosky) June 28, 2018
No, on a real, everyone needs to take a moment to say a prayer for Nigeria. Quite a lot of things have been happening there, most of which have been shadowed by the ongoing World Cup. #PrayForNigeria. 🙏🏾
— Lord (@itsMr233) June 28, 2018
My mind goes to those hustling young people selling foods & drinks daily inside Lagos traffic.
Only God knows how many of them that would be unfortunately get caught in that Lagos-Ibadan expressway inferno.
God have mercy on our nation.#PrayForNigeria— Olamide (@olajideobe) June 28, 2018
Lagos state government describes fire incident as “unfortunate and regrettable”
The Lagos state government has reacted to the incident in a statement commiserating with the families of the victims.
Signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kehinde Bamigbetan, the statement reads in part, “On behalf of the Lagos State Government, we extend our deepest commiseration to the families of persons who lost their lives as well as properties to the incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this time of pain and grief.
As a government, we would not relent in putting measures in place to ensure safety of lives and property of all residents”
According to the commissioner, the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has directed relevant agencies to the area to ensure normalcy is restored.
