By Meletus EZE
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed nine people dead and 54 vehicles burnt in the devastating fuel tanker explosion on Otedola Bridge, inward Berger area of Lagos on Thursday.
The General Manager of LASEMA, Adesina Tiamiyu said the tanker fell on the bridge around 5:53pm and exploded even as several vehicles around it got caught in the inferno.
Tiamiyu said nine people were burnt beyond recognition while four others were rescued, with two in critical condition and two others with minor injuries.
The Lagos State Government has commiserated with families of victims who lost their lives and property in a fatal tanker explosion which occurred on Thursday evening on Otedola Bridge, inward Ojodu Berger area of the State, describing the incident as unfortunate and regrettable.
The incident, which occurred at about 5:53pm, left 53 vehicles burnt while nine lives were lost.
The government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kehinde Bamigbetan, described the incident as a sad development, saying that the incident was most unfortunate and regrettable.
“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,” Bamigbetan said.
The Commissioner said that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had directed all relevant agencies to move into the area to normalise the apprehension that had taken over the area and to also ensure that those in need were adequately taken catered for.
The governor assured that clearing of the highway of damaged vehicles to establish normal traffic flow would continue throughout the night until the objective is achieved.
He called for the cooperation of all citizens with the officials of the agencies to restore the situation to normalcy.
He also urged motorists to continue to adhere to the safety standard and the State Traffic Laws so as to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
