…LASTMA, LASEMA Rescue Victims, Gridlock Grounds Lagos-Ibadan Expressway*
Panic gripped motorists on Monday afternoon after a 33,000-litre diesel-laden tanker fell off Otedola Bridge and exploded beneath the bridge inward Berger, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leaving two persons severely burnt.
The incident, which occurred at about 4:09 p.m., triggered a massive inferno that grounded traffic on the busy corridor and forced motorists to seek alternative routes.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said two casualties were recorded after the tanker plunged from the elevated bridge and went up in flames.
“A diesel-loaded tanker reportedly fell from Otedola Bridge, caught fire, and was engulfed in flames underneath the bridge inward Berger. Two casualties were recorded, while the incident has resulted in traffic congestion around the affected location,” LASTMA said in a statement on X.
The agency said its emergency response team, in collaboration with other agencies, swiftly mobilised to the scene and rescued the two severely burnt victims.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said it received a distress call at 4:09 p.m. and deployed firefighters from its Alausa and Ikeja stations who arrived at 4:16 p.m. to battle the blaze.
According to LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Adebayo Taofiq, the victims were evacuated by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Rescue Unit to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre at Toll Gate for urgent medical attention.
“The injured victims were subsequently evacuated by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency’s Rescue Unit (LRU) to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre, Toll Gate, where they were admitted for immediate medical attention,” Taofiq said.
LASEMA spokesperson, Olawale Afolabi, said the agency deployed its Tiger rescue team to the scene immediately after receiving the alert at about 4:24 p.m.
Other agencies involved in the rescue operations include the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), and police personnel from Alausa Division.
The fire was later put out, though firefighters remained at the scene to handle residual hotspots and prevent a re-ignition.
The incident recalls a similar gas truck explosion near Otedola Bridge on March 11, 2025, which left one person dead, four injured and 14 vehicles burnt.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the emergency responders for their swift response and wished the victims speedy recovery.
Motorists were advised to exercise caution around the corridor while emergency operations lasted
