16 People Burnt In Gas Cylinder Explosion In Nigeria

At least sixteen people were burned beyond recognition, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a gas cylinder explosion that occurred around 1 pm on Tuesday near Buhari Estate along the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway in Lagos State, Nigeria.

The Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its spokesperson, Florence Okpe.

According to Okpe, the single-vehicle accident involved a white Mazda bus with registration number KJA 949 YJ. A critical factor in the tragedy was the bus’s cargo: a filled gas cylinder. The explosion, triggered by a fire outbreak, resulted in the devastating loss of lives.

Related To This: 55 Residents Scrambling Fuel From Exploded Tanker Burnt To Death

“A total of 21 people were involved in the crash. Sixteen victims were burnt beyond recognition, making it impossible to ascertain their genders at the scene, while three others sustained injuries and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta,” Okpe stated.

Sector Commander, Akinwunmi Fasakin, who spearheaded the rescue operation, expressed strong disapproval of what he characterized as the driver’s carelessness. Fasakin specifically criticized the highly dangerous decision to transport a filled gas cylinder within a passenger vehicle. He emphasized that highly flammable substances should only be conveyed in designated vehicles operated by trained and qualified professionals.

Fasakin also joined in the hands-on efforts to clear the wreckage and restore the flow of traffic along the heavily used expressway.

The FRSC boss issued an urgent appeal to both motorists and passengers, urging them to place the highest priority on safety at all times. He further extended his deepest condolences to the families of those who perished in the horrific accident.

Similarly in January, a tanker explosion in Nigeria’s Niger State resulted in the deaths of at least 55 people. The victims were attempting to collect fuel spilled from the crashed vehicle, marking the latest incident involving the risky transportation of petroleum products in the country.

The tragedy occurred as residents rushed to gather petrol spilled from the tanker, which had crashed on the Dikko-Maje road in Suleja, in the northern part of the country.

Source: Punch