Two casualties were recorded on Monday after a diesel-laden tanker fell from Otedola Bridge and caught fire underneath the structure, inward Berger, Lagos State.
The incident occurred at about 4:00 p.m., prompting a rapid response from emergency agencies, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the 33,000-litre tanker was transporting petroleum products from a depot when it crashed between the inward and outward sections of Otedola Bridge.
The service said it received a distress call at 4:09 p.m. and immediately deployed firefighters from its Alausa and Ikeja stations.
The first responders arrived at the scene at 4:16 p.m. and commenced efforts to contain the fire.
Firefighters subsequently extinguished the blaze but remained at the scene to tackle residual hotspots and prevent a possible reignition.
LASTMA, in a post on X at about 5:10 p.m., confirmed that two casualties had been recorded in the crash.
The traffic management agency said firefighters were battling the fire while other emergency responders attended to the victims.
It added that arrangements were being made to evacuate the casualties to a hospital for medical attention.
LASTMA personnel were also deployed to manage traffic around the scene as emergency operations continued.
The agency advised motorists approaching the Berger-bound section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to exercise caution and comply with instructions from traffic officials and emergency responders.
Monday’s incident has renewed concerns over tanker-related accidents around Otedola Bridge, a major traffic corridor linking Lagos with the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said further details on the cause of Monday’s tanker crash, the casualties and the extent of property damage would be released after the information had been properly verified.
Its Controller-General, Margaret Abimbola Adeseye, urged motorists to remain cautious when approaching emergency scenes and strictly follow safety instructions issued by first responders.
