Tragedy struck on Tuesday night as a devastating tanker explosion at the Otedola Under-Bridge in Lagos claimed two lives, 10 vehicles, eight tricycles, and even a nearby building
It was gathered that the fire was due to the overturned tanker conveying gas, resulting in fire.
Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), described the scene as catastrophic.
“It was a devastating incident. Our emergency teams responded swiftly, but the fire had already spread rapidly, consuming at least 10 vehicles, eight tricycles, and a building,” he said in a statement early Wednesday.
Emergency calls flooded the state’s response lines, prompting the swift mobilization of rescue teams, including LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASTMA, the police, and medical teams.
Despite their heroic efforts, the intensity of the tanker explosion made recovery difficult. Rescuers fought through thick smoke and scorching heat to prevent further loss of life, implementing safety measures and fire containment strategies.
By midnight, the wreckage of charred vehicles littered the roadside, a grim reminder of the night’s horror.
The recovered remains of the victims have been handed over to the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), while the injured continue to receive medical treatment.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation
