Fuel tanker explodes, kills 2 in Lagos

A Trailer tanker loaded with fuel had a flat tyre on motion, lost control, fell and exploded along Liverpool Bridge in Apapa Lagos. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

By Albert Akpor
COMMERCIAL and social activities in and around Apapa, Lagos were abruptly brought to a halt Wednesday after a petrol tanker exploded into flames burning its driver and motor boy to death.

The incident, which happened on top of the decrepit Liverpool bridge at about 2 p.m., caused a traffic jam as pedestrians and motorists were seen trekking long distances to their destinations.

Eyewitnesses said the tanker, which registration number had been burnt beyond recognition before Vanguard arrived, was said to have climbed the bridge at a high speed, skidded, turned over, exploded and burst into flames.

Motorists and pedestrians who were at the spot when the incident occurred reportedly scampered for safety while those behind made a quick U-turn.

The identity of the driver and his motor boy could be ascertained as at press time, but sources said they were Northerners.

When Vanguard visited, a combined team of Policemen led by a Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mohammed Ali and fire brigade officials, were making frantic efforts to put off the inferno.

Eyewitness account

An onlooker, who would not want his names in print described the accident as avoidable, adding that the driver was the architect of his misfortune.

“I was at the foot of the bridge when the tanker sped passed us and we all wondered if something was chasing him.

“Minutes later we heard a loud bang followed by flames. When we raced up to the spot, we discovered that it was the same tanker that we had earlier talked about.

“The way these tankers move here in Apapa, especially when climbing this bridge, is totally against driving ethics. This is a bridge that is already falling apart and calling for repairs.”