At least 16 people lost their lives in a tragic accident on Tuesday afternoon when a vehicle caught fire along the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway, near Buhari Estate. Three others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the incident, which occurred around 1 p.m.
The Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the accident in a statement by its spokesperson, Florence Okpe.
According to Okpe, the crash involved a white Mazda bus, registered as KJA 949 YJ, which was carrying a gas cylinder.
A fire outbreak triggered an explosion, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life.
“A total of 21 people were involved in the crash. Sixteen victims were burnt beyond recognition, making it impossible to determine their identities on-site, while three others sustained injuries and were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta,” Okpe stated.
The FRSC Sector Commander, Akinwunmi Fasakin, who oversaw the rescue efforts, expressed deep concern over the accident, attributing it to negligence.
He condemned the transportation of a filled gas cylinder in a passenger vehicle, emphasizing that hazardous materials should only be moved using specialized vehicles operated by trained professionals.
Fasakin also took part in clearing the wreckage to restore normal traffic flow along the busy highway.
He urged motorists to prioritize safety at all times and extended his condolences to the families of the victims.
