In a harrowing incident on Thursday night, multiple oil tankers burst into flames in Lagos, trapping several individuals amidst the inferno. According to reports from the Daily Trust, upon the emergency authorities' arrival at the incident scene at SIFAX inward Costain, they discovered a pile-up of vehicles, including two petrol tankers, ablaze.
Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), provided insights into the tragic event. He explained, "One of the tankers was ascending the bridge when it rolled back onto the other tanker and other vehicles. This collision resulted in the catastrophic fire." The exact number of people trapped remains uncertain.
However, preliminary assessments indicate that the accident involved three container-laden trucks, two tankers filled with highly flammable contents, a tipper truck carrying gravel, a flatbed truck, and three cars.
Oke-Osanyintolu further mentioned the immediate response to the incident, stating that four fire trucks were promptly dispatched to the scene, supported by teams from LASTMA, LASEMA, and the Nigeria Police.
This incident underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures and infrastructure maintenance for Nigerians, especially those in Lagos. The tragedy highlights the potential dangers of transporting combustible materials and raises questions about the country's infrastructure and emergency response readiness.
