UPDATE: Death toll from Lagos tanker explosion hits five
Abimbola Abdullahi
Latest report from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed an increase in death toll of casualties from the tanker explosion that occurred in Ikeja area of Lagos late Thursday.
Acting Coordinator, Lagos Office, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed to SlyeNews that another two among those rescued later died in the hospital.
Farinloye said: “Two of those rescued to hospital died few minutes ago”
NEMA had earlier reported that three people died,13 people also sustained various degree of burns, while 25 vehicles were burnt in the inferno.
He had earlier explained that a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker was involved in the accident at about 1032hour on Thursday on the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way opposite Sheraton hotels and Towers. Ikeja.
“The explosion was alleged to have been caused by unconfirmed leakage while on motion.
“The resulting fire travelled with the wind to the premises of Ogun State Property Investment Company (OPIC) Plaza besides Sheraton Hotel,” he stated.
OPIC housed different commercial outfits including Chinese Restaurant.
Farinloye said the fire was put out at about 0030hours after the concerted efforts of five fire trucks from Lagos State Fire Service and two trucks from LASEMA Response Unit.
“The initial search and rescue activities revealed that 13 persons sustained various degree of burns. Out of this, 9 are males while 4 are females.
“The affected victims are being attended to at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for First Aid while they will be transferred to Burn Centre, General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos State.
“Preliminary assessment on vehicles damaged indicated that about 25 were burnt as at now.
“Only four of the critically injured were transferred to Burn Centre, General Hospital Gbagada at about 0230hours today
“Three dead bodies being recovered now,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Hakim Odumosu was at hand who took charge in Crowd control and normalise the situation for a successful operations.
NEMA, LASTMA, State Fire Service, FRSC and NSCDC were at the scene.
