Two dead, many injured as tankers explode on Kara bridge, Lagos

At least two persons have lost their lives and many injured in a fire resulting from an explosion involving four vehicles at the Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Sunday.

It was learnt that the accident involved two petrol tankers, a gas truck, and a cement transport truck.

It was gathered that the accident occurred a few minutes past 01 am on Sunday.

While giving an update on the incident, Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, said rescue operations have so far found two dead bodies.

Ogungbemide said, “The inferno as a result of the explosion is almost getting to an end. The fire services are still here from Lagos and Ogun states.

“So far, we have been able to move two casualties to the General Hospital Gbagada. One was burnt beyond recognition.

“The accident involved three tankers and one truck. Two of the tankers carrying petrol, another carrying gas, and an articulated truck,” he said.

On the possible cause of the accident, Ogungbemide, said, “It was a loss of control. One of the tankers that rammed into other vehicles either had brake failure or got distracted. The investigation is still on, we can’t just be accurate now,” he said.

The Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Agency, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the fire has been put out.

He said, “However, the valve on the truck is still leaky with gas. The inferno from other trucks has also been curtailed. The inferno was completely put out at 10:03 am by the combined effort of Tiger team, LRU Fire, LASG Fire Service, FED Fire Service, and Ogun State Fire service.

“Recovery of the burnt trucks ongoing with use of the agency’s heavy-duty equipment.”