A major road accident involving several trucks and a container-laden trailer caused a huge fire outbreak and severe gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Kara Bridge, inward Mowe, Ogun State, on Wednesday, October 30.
The incident, which eyewitnesses described as “shocking and chaotic,” brought traffic to a complete standstill for hours as emergency workers battled to put out the fire and clear debris from the busy route.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the multiple-vehicle collision resulted in a “major fire outbreak” and “severe traffic congestion” along the expressway, one of the country’s most vital transport corridors.
“There’s a report of a multiple road crash where a truck and a container-laden trailer were in flames, another truck spilling its contents (cartons of biscuits) on the road, a container-laden truck ran onto the barrier with its carrier falling off the bridge into the river, thereby blocking the entire road at Kara Bridge inward Mowe,” LASTMA said.
The agency confirmed that eight casualties were recorded in the crash, though the extent of their injuries was yet to be fully disclosed.
The crash involved a truck and a container-laden trailer that caught fire, another truck that spilled cartons of biscuits across the road, and a third that crashed into the bridge barrier, sending its container into the river below.
The resulting inferno quickly spread, engulfing the vehicles and forcing other motorists to abandon their cars as thick black smoke filled the sky.
Furthermore, LASTMA noted that the accident caused a massive traffic buildup, stretching from Kara Bridge to Ogunnusi Road in Lagos.
Motorists were advised to exercise patience and use alternative routes to ease the congestion.
“Effort is on top gear for recovery and evacuation of the vehicles involved.
Traffic backlog on Ogunnusi Road and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Officers and other emergency first responders are on ground,” the agency added.
In addition, a high-capacity tow truck, SEMA ambulance, and police personnel were deployed to the scene.
LASTMA officers worked alongside other emergency teams to clear the scattered goods and manage the traffic situation.
“LASTMA personnel, police officers, and other emergency teams are on ground clearing the contents (biscuits and goods).
A crane machine is also expected to arrive soon at the scene to recover all burnt and affected vehicles,” the agency stated.
