The Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency in Ogun state has confirmed that 18 passengers lost their lives in the Ogbere area of Ijebu East local government, along the Ijebu/Ore expressway, after a Toyota Hiace, registered with plate number XA 690AKU, burst into flames resulting in the passengers being burnt beyond recognition, and one person sustaining injuries.
The Public Relations Officer of the state’s traffic agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed this information in a statement issued in Abeokuta, the state capital.
According to Akinbiyi, the accident was caused by a fire outbreak from petrol stored in a container inside the vehicle.
“Based on eyewitness reports, which the driver confirmed, there was a keg full of Petroleum Motor Spirit inside the bus. It toppled over when the vehicle reached a failed road portion. The PMS spilt onto the bus floor and later dripped onto the exhaust pipe, igniting the vehicle while in transit,” he explained.
“The partially burnt and injured driver was rescued and taken to Rona Hospital in Ijebu Ode, while the deceased were deposited at the State Hospital Mortuary, Ijebu Ode.”
While urging drivers to refrain from storing fuel in containers to prevent similar incidents, the public relations officer expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
