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Many feared dead as Petrol tanker explosion rocks Ogun

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2 months ago

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An early morning explosion involving a petrol-laden tanker caused chaos along the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State on Friday, sparking fears of multiple deaths.
 
The incident happened at about 1:00 a.m. near the Abeokuta–Kobape–Siun–Sagamu interchange on the PMB Expressway. 
 
The tanker, which was reportedly speeding, lost control, overturned, and emptied its 33,000 litres of petrol across the road.
 
The spilled fuel ignited almost immediately, unleashing a towering blaze that consumed nearby vehicles and public infrastructure. 
 
A truck and a tow vehicle were completely destroyed, while power cables supplying electricity to Mowe and surrounding communities were burnt, plunging the area into darkness.
 
Emergency response teams, including the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, Ogun State Fire Service, Nestlé PLC Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, the Police, Amotekun, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, raced to the scene to contain the inferno and commence decanting operations.
 
Although the exact number of casualties remains unknown, eyewitnesses and officials fear that the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue.
 
Traffic has been reduced to a single lane on the expressway, with diversions in place to ease congestion. Motorists have been urged to exercise patience and follow officials’ instructions.
 
TRACE spokesperson, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed that the tanker was carrying 33,000 litres of fuel and attributed the accident to excessive speed and loss of control.
 
He appealed for public cooperation, saying, “The public, particularly motorists on transit along the route, is implored to be calm, patient, and cooperate with the diversion and re-routing of traffic. We deeply regret any inconvenience.”
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