The Ogun state Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) said that 18 persons have died in a road accident in the Ogbere axis of the Benin-Sagamu expressway.
In a statement, Babatunde Akinbiyi, the agency’s representative, reported that a Toyota Hiace (XA 690 AKU) vehicle crashed into a bad section of the road, leaving passengers burnt beyond recognition, with one injured.
He said an explosion, triggered by petroleum motor spirit (PMS) stored in a jerrycan in the vehicle, compounded the situation.
“Eyewitnesses and the driver confirmed that a jerrycan filled with PMS fell over when the bus hit a bad section of the road,” he said.
“The fuel spilled onto the bus floor and ignited after coming into contact with the exhaust pipe, causing the vehicle to catch fire in transit.
“The partially burnt and injured driver rescued was taken to Rona Hospital in Ijebu Ode, while the dead were deposited at State Hospital Mortuary, Ijebu.”
Akinbiyi asked drivers to refrain from storing fuel in kegs to avert disasters.
The TRACE representative extended heartfelt condolences to bereaved families.
In August, it was reported that four people died in road accidents in Abeokuta, the state capital.
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