Fire Consumes Many Beyond Recognition As Driver Transports Innocent Passengers With Fuel Gallon, See Where It Happened
At least 18 individuals suffered severe burns and were rendered unidentifiable when the vehicle they were in burst into flames along the Benin- Sagamu Expressway on Monday.
During a telephone interview with news reporters on Monday, 16th September 2024, Babatunde Akinbiyi, the agency’ s spokesperson, disclosed this information to the general public.
According to Akinbiyi, the driver of the ill- fated vehicle had recklessly placed a large keg filled with highly flammable petrol at the back of the vehicle, which was transporting a group of unsuspecting passengers. This dangerous and irresponsible act ultimately led to the devastating explosion and fire that claimed the lives of at least 18 people.
The container was reported to have spilled its flammable liquid onto the vehicle’ s scorching hot exhaust system, causing a catastrophic blast.
The explosion, intensified by the vehicle’ s kinetic energy, caused the heartbreaking combustion of 18 passengers, while the driver fortunately survived with burn injuries.
Additionally, he noted that eyewitness testimonies revealed that the vehicle, carrying a full complement of passengers, was en route from the eastern sector of the country to Lagos State when the devastating accident took place.
Akinbiyi said, ” there was a road accident today along the RCC Yard on the Sagamu- Benin Expressway at about 3: 30 pm. 18 people were presumed dead as the vehicle caught fire, and the passengers were burnt beyond recognition.
” The petrol poured onto the floor of the bus, then onto the exhaust pipe, causing the vehicle to catch fire while in transit. ”
Speaking further, Akinbiyi revealed that the vehicle involved in the accident was a white Toyota Hiace bus bearing the registration number XA 690 AKU. He further stated that the driver, who sustained injuries, was rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment, while the remains of the deceased victims were transported to the State Hospital mortuary in Ijebu- Ode for storage.
” The partially burnt and injured driver was rescued and taken to Rona Hospital in Ijebu- Ode, while the presumed dead were deposited at the State Hospital Mortuary, Ijebu- Ode, by the FRSC, ” he said.
Conclusively, the FRSC representative admonished drivers to refrain from storing fuel containers in their vehicles when setting out on road trips. He cautioned motorists to avoid keeping petrol cans in their cars when embarking on journeys. He warned vehicle owners to cease storing fuel tanks in their automobiles when heading out on the highway, appealing that drivers should discontinue the practice of storing fuel kegs in their vehicles when undertaking road travel.
” While TRACE, FRSC, police, and OGSEAS commiserate with the families of the deceased, motorists are once again admonished not to store fuel in kegs and jerry cans while in transit, due to the attendant consequences” , Akinbiyi clarified.
