The vehicles caught in the petrol tanker fire on the Otedola bridge in Lagos
It was a tragedic Thursday in Lagos yesterday, as a fully-loaded 33,000-litre fuel tanker exploded on Otedola Bridge along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, killing many people and razing about 67 vehicle.
No fewer than nine persons were burnt beyond recognition with 54 vehicles torched in a fuel tanker explosion on Thursday, June 28, at Otedola Bridge, near the old toll gate, Alausa, Lagos. 10 bodies burnt beyond recognition had been recovered.
It was gathered that the tragedy occurred at about 6p.m., after the fuel-laden tanker, which was heading inwards Berger, had a brake failure.
Rescue operators recover bodies from the scene of tanker explosion on Otedola Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday NAN PHOTO
A survivor of the Otedola Bridge fire which occurred on Thursday, June 28, has disclosed how he escaped from the terrible inferno.
He said: “Due to the state of the road, I saw the content spilling towards my vehicle with fire accompanying it. So I quickly ran out of the vehicle and crossed to the other side to avoid been caught in the inferno.”
Another commuter, one Michael Simon, whose car was among the vehicles which got burnt in the inferno, stated: “I am happy I didn’t die while trying to escape from the scene. I tried maneuvering my vehicle to avoid been burnt, but my efforts proved abortive.”
An eyewitness, Maria Oje, described her escape as the handiwork of God. She narrated, in tears, how she saw some motorists’ failed attempt to run for safety.
Her words: “One of them, who was on fire, fell down, as he could not run any longer. Nobody could rescue them as everyone was also running for dear life.”
Remains of private and commercial vehicles burnt as a result of tanker explosion on Otedola Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday
Those present at the scene included the Police, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA; Lagos State Fire Service; the state’s Ambulance Service; Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, among others.
Vehicles were stopped on both sides of the road, as rescue operation continued. This caused a traffic gridlock, which stretched to the Third Mainland Bridge.
My thought and prayer are with the victims and the families. May God grant them fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.