The Lagos State Government on Tuesday activated a full-scale emergency response following a gas truck accident on Eko Bridge, outward Apongbon, raising concerns over public safety and potential explosion risks.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that a 10-tonne truck conveying 10,090 kilogrammes of cooking gas overturned after suffering a front tyre burst while in motion.
According to the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Olawale Afolabi, the truck lost control, rammed into the road median, and fell, resulting in continuous gas leakage at the scene.
“The incident also caused damage to a solar-powered street light on the bridge,” LASEMA stated.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed an immediate multi-agency response to contain the situation, safeguard lives, and prevent escalation into a major disaster.
Emergency responders at the scene include LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), the Police, and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
Authorities have cordoned off the affected հատված of the bridge and diverted traffic to alternative routes to ensure public safety and ease congestion.
“Firefighters are actively working to suppress any risk of ignition, while technical teams are making efforts to halt the gas leakage,” Afolabi added.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, emphasised that safety remains the government’s top priority, urging residents to steer clear of the area and avoid any use of naked flames near the incident site.
He also called on tanker operators to adhere strictly to safety regulations and ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles to prevent similar occurrences.
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Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes as recovery and containment operations continue.
The Lagos State Government reassured residents of its commitment to restoring normalcy as swiftly as possible.
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