Two persons —a commercial bus driver and his passenger—were burnt to death, while eight others sustained injuries after a minibus caught fire along the Okota–Mile 2 corridor in Lagos State.
The incident was confirmed on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Mr Adebayo Taofiq, who described it as a devastating road traffic occurrence.
Taofiq said the accident involved a yellow commercial minibus conveying nine passengers, including the driver, when an unidentified private vehicle allegedly reversed on the main carriageway.
According to him, the sudden manoeuvre forced the minibus, which was travelling at a considerable speed, to brake abruptly, causing it to lose control, overturn several times and eventually burst into flames.
Preliminary findings revealed that an unknown private vehicle reversed on the main carriageway, compelling the commercial minibus to apply an abrupt brake. In the course of this perilous convergence, the vehicle lost control, overturned repeatedly and ultimately went up in flames, the statement read.
Further investigations, Taofiq disclosed, revealed that the driver was conveying a five-litre container of petrol inside the bus, which ignited immediately after the crash.
The highly inflammable substance ignited instantly following the impact, resulting in a severe fire outbreak. Tragically, the driver and a female passenger seated in front were burnt beyond recognition, the agency added.
Taofiq said LASTMA operatives on routine traffic surveillance responded promptly to the incident and rescued eight passengers before the fire intensified.
Through swift and decisive intervention, our operatives successfully rescued eight passengers from the wreckage and facilitated their immediate evacuation to a nearby medical facility, he said.
He added that the accident scene was secured in collaboration with the Divisional Traffic Officer of the Ilasa Police Division to prevent secondary crashes and restore traffic flow.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Ambulance Service were also deployed to extinguish the fire and manage rescue operations.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and commiserated with the victims’ families.
On behalf of the Lagos State Government, I express deep sorrow over this needless loss of life and extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We pray for the speedy and complete recovery of the eight rescued passengers, Giwa said.
He also warned motorists against dangerous driving practices, particularly reversing on highways.
