At least 16 people lost their lives in a gas cylinder explosion on the Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway. Three survivors sustained injuries. Governor Dapo Abiodun urged transporters to avoid carrying hazardous materials, while the FRSC attributed the tragedy to negligence. Authorities are calling for stricter safety measures to prevent future incidents.
A tragic accident on the Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway claimed the lives of at least 16 people on Tuesday afternoon after a commercial vehicle carrying gas cylinders exploded. The incident, which occurred near Buhari Estate around 1 pm, left several others with severe injuries.
Florence Okpe, spokesperson for the Ogun State Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), confirmed the incident, stating that a Mazda bus transporting passengers and gas cylinders caught fire following an explosion. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but many victims were already burnt beyond recognition. Three survivors were rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.
Okpe expressed concern over the safety violation, emphasizing that transporting gas cylinders in passenger vehicles poses serious risks. Ogun State FRSC Commander Akinwumi Fasakin also condemned the incident, urging commercial drivers to avoid carrying flammable materials.
Governor Dapo Abiodun reacted to the tragedy by extending condolences to the victims' families and calling for stricter transport regulations. He urged the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to educate their members on the dangers of carrying hazardous goods.
"As we mourn this unfortunate event, we must prioritize passenger safety and enforce best practices to prevent future occurrences," Abiodun stated.
Authorities are now investigating the cause of the explosion while reinforcing safety measures to prevent similar tragedies on Nigerian roads.
