In a devastating incident along the Okołowo expressway in Kwara State on Monday, at least four individuals lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries in a multiple-vehicle accident that resulted in a tanker explosion.
Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Fire Service, confirmed the tragic occurrence, revealing that a total of 20 passengers were involved in the accident.
Adekunle reported that among the 20 individuals on board, three lives were lost, and eight sustained severe burns. The incident unfolded when a truck, transporting 45,000 litres of petrol, lost control following a tire burst, leading to a head-on collision with another truck loaded with soya beans.
In the aftermath, a third truck, carrying soft drinks, reportedly collided with the wreckage and subsequently caught fire. The resulting inferno claimed the lives of those trapped in the vehicles, and their bodies, burned beyond recognition, were later recovered by rescuers.
This tragic accident serves as a somber reminder of the need for vigilance and safety measures on the roads to prevent such devastating incidents.