A truck conveying gasoline on Thursday exploded at Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos, destroying several vehicles and injuring scores of passers-by.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the gas tanker explosion occurred at about 3.30 p.m.
Although no life was lost as at the time of filing this report, 16 people have said to have been critically injured and taken to the Iju Water Works clinic.
Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident to newsmen at the scene of the explosion.
Oke-Osanyintolu said 16 persons have been confirmed to be critically injured and taken to the Iju Water Works clinic.
He explained that a 30 ton LPG Tanker, being operated by Mana Gas Ltd., but which registration number could not be ascertained, was involved in an explosion.
He said that LASEMA responded to distress calls concerning the explosion and quickly mobilised to the scene.
According to him, the explosion destroyed several vehicles, one event Centre and a Plank Market in the area.
“The responders discovered that a compromised seal device by the truck driver had led to gradual leakages, which then ignited fire when the tyres burst.
”Several people were injured and have been taken to the nearest hospital for treatment,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
Other emergency responders at the scene were the Lagos State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force and NSCDC.
The Director General, Lagos Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu later confirmed that 30 adults were injured, 23 buildings and 15 vehicles were also destroyed by the Iju-Ishaga tanker explosion.
According to him, the post disaster assessment regarding Iju-Ishaga is as follows: two Residential buildings, one Church, one Event Centre, four Commercial buildings, a market consisting of 15 shanty shops, 11 Cars, two Mini trucks, one bus, one Heavy duty Truck were destroyed.
Oke-Osanyintolu said that this brought the total number of properties destroyed to 23 buildings and 15 Vehicles.
He said that the inferno had been put out completely, while a total of 30 casualties recorded in the accident consist of 20 adult Males and 10 adult Females.
He said that that the Agency responded to the distress calls concerning the tanker explosion, which was confirmed that 30 tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Tanker being operated by Mana Gas Ltd was involved in an explosion, which destroyed several vehicles, X and Y Event Centre and a Plank market in that axis.
LASEMA boss said that responders discovered that a compromised seal device by the truck driver had led to gradual leakages, which ignited when the tyres burst.
He said that 28 of the injured victims had been taken to various nearby hospital including Iju Waterworks Clinic, while the remaining two victims, who were in critical condition had been referred to General Hospital, Ikeja.
He, however, said that responders at the scene of incidence were: LASEMA Combined responders, the Agency’s Tiger Squad, LRU Paramedics, LRU Fire team, LASG Fire Service, Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Red Cross. (NAN)
