Fiery crash kills 16 on Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway

DDM News

A deadly crash on the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway claimed the lives of at least 16 people on Tuesday.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that the lone accident involved a Mazda bus and occurred at the Buhari Estate axis of the expressway.

The Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the crash in an official statement.

FRSC spokesperson, Mrs. Florence Okpe, revealed that the accident happened around 1:00 p.m.

She stated that the crash involved a Mazda bus with registration number KJA 949 YJ.

Okpe explained that a fire outbreak inside the vehicle caused the tragic crash.

The bus was carrying a filled gas cylinder, which exploded and triggered a deadly inferno.

The intense fire quickly engulfed the vehicle and its passengers, preventing any immediate rescue efforts.

A total of 21 individuals were involved in the crash.

Sixteen people lost their lives, while three sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Emergency responders rushed the injured victims to the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta.

Two individuals miraculously escaped without injuries.

Okpe disclosed that the fire burned the victims beyond recognition, making gender identification impossible.

She added that the corpses remained at the crash site, awaiting evacuation by relevant authorities.

Ogun FRSC Sector Commander, Akinwumi Fasakin, personally led the rescue team to the crash scene.

Fasakin expressed deep sorrow and disappointment over the tragic incident.

He criticized the driver for transporting a gas-filled cylinder alongside passengers.

Fasakin emphasized that flammable substances should never be carried inside passenger vehicles.

He warned that such risky practices often result in catastrophic crashes like this one.

Okpe also cautioned drivers and passengers against carrying hazardous materials in public transport vehicles.

She stressed that transporting gas cylinders or fuel containers inside buses significantly increases the risk of fire-related crashes.

She urged motorists to follow road safety guidelines and avoid preventable dangers.

“Every road user must prioritize safety to prevent deadly crashes,” Okpe stated.

The Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway crash serves as a grim reminder of transportation hazards caused by negligence.

Authorities have repeatedly warned against unsafe transportation practices, yet tragic crashes continue to occur.

This latest crash underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of transport safety regulations.

The government and road safety agencies must intensify public awareness campaigns on hazardous material transportation.

Investigations into the crash are ongoing to determine further details surrounding the tragic incident.

Road safety officials have urged strict compliance with vehicle safety standards to prevent future crashes.

Families of the victims now mourn their loved ones lost in another heartbreaking road crash.

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