Death recorded as diesel tanker explodes in Lagos
*3 PSP Waste collection trucks, Toyota Highlander SUV burnt
By KEMI KASUMU
A tanker accident has occurred at Cele Roundabout, Ijesha area in Lagos, resulting in a devastating explosion and fire.
The unfortunate event took place, reportedly, at around 11:51 pm on of Friday May 10, 2024,
Upon arrival at the scene, responders found a tanker loaded with diesel had lost control while descending the bridge, fallen sideways, and exploded.
This was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
According to the official statement, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the tanker’s loss of control was the primary cause of the accident. The impact of the explosion was severe, affecting three PSP trucks parked by the roadside and an oncoming Toyota Highlander Jeep.
“Tragically, an adult male attempting to escape the explosion became stuck in a gutter and suffered severe burns.”
Responders at the scene included the Agency’s response team, LRU Fire unit, Lagos State Fire, and LASAMBUS. Efforts to combat the inferno were ongoing, with a focus on crowd control and mitigating further damage.
The fallen tanker was upturned to a standing position using the Agency’s heavy-duty equipment Crane, and blanketing of the tanker was ongoing. The lowbed was awaited to evacuate the tanker off the road.
The accidented tanker has been successfully recovered off the road using the Agency’s heavy-duty equipment Crane and Lowbed, restoring normalcy to the road. The operation has been concluded, and the LRT is heading back to base.
In conclusion, the swift response and coordination among responders prevented further damage and ensured the safety of the surrounding area. Investigations into the accident’s cause are ongoing to prevent similar incidents in the future.
