How 16 burnt to death as gas cylinder explodes in vehicle

NO fewer than 16 persons, lost their lives, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries, in a lone accident that occurred at Buhari Estate, along the Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway, Abeokuta.

The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, in a statement, through its Public Education Officer, Florence Okpe, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said 21 persons were involved in the crash.

The statement reads: "A fatal crash occurred at Buhari Estate, along the Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway, Abeokuta, Ogun State, this afternoon, at about 1300hrs. 

"Rescue operation was carried out by operatives of RS2.2 Abeokuta Sector Command at the scene. A total of 21 people were involved in the crash. The genders of the victims couldn't be ascertained at the scene because they were burnt beyond recognition. 

"A total of 16 persons were killed in the crash, while three sustained various degrees of injuries. The injured victims were taken to Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta, while the corpses are still at the scene waiting for evacuation. The suspected cause of the crash was fire outbreak in the vehicle that was also having a filled gas cylinder in it, which led to the explosion". 

"The Sector Commander,  Ogun Sector Command, Akinwumi Fasakin quickly moved to the crash scene with his team for rescue operation, but he was not pleased with the occurrence that has resulted in lives being lost, because of  carelessness on the part of the driver,  and it could have been avoided. The driver should have objected to carrying a cylinder filled with gas. 

"He stated that highly flammable items should be transported with care and by designated vehicles driven by trained drivers only.  He joined in the clearing of obstruction for free Flow of traffic. He further advised motorists and passengers to put safety first while using the roads. He sympathized with the family of the deceased and prayed God comforts them.”

Reacting, Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State, warned commercial vehicle operators in the state to refrain from transporting flammable materials in their vehicles to ensure the safety of passengers.

The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said the accident was preventable. 

Governor Abiodun  called on the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW,  and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, to educate their members about the dangers associated with the transportation of hazardous materials. 

Among others, he said "This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers linked to the transportation of flammable materials. As we grapple with the aftermath of this tragedy, it is essential for all stakeholders—drivers, unions, and regulatory bodies—to work collaboratively towards ensuring that such incidents do not recur.

"The safety of passengers must remain paramount, and all necessary measures should be taken to protect lives on the roads. Only through collective efforts and a commitment to best practices can the state hope to minimize the risks associated with the transportation of dangerous goods."