The Otedola Bridge fire: "I could hear the driver yelling" brake failure, brake failure "

Otedola Bridge: Nigeria faced Friday calls for improved road and road safety after nine people were killed when an oil tanker with failing brakes crashed and crashed. exploded, engulfing dozens of vehicles at the rush hour of Lagos

The accident occurred around 17:30 (16:30 GMT) Thursday on Lagos -Ibadan expressway, one of the main routes out of the city. Fifty-four vehicles were eviscerated

Commuters were forced to walk while traffic continued throughout the city and a clean-up operation continued all night until the road was reopened At about 7:30 pm

In the light, burned shells of cars and buses were still towed from the road, which was blackened and covered with ashes for more than one kilometer.

Oil tanker fires are not uncommon on Nigeria's roads, which are often in poor condition and where vehicles are often old and poorly maintained.

Blocks are often placed behind the wheels of rusty trucks when they are stationary in traffic.

Authorities stated that the first accident was caused by brakes. failure. Motorists caught in chaos were also wondering why fully loaded tankers were allowed on the road at rush hour

The tanker hit in Thursday's accident was carrying 33,000 liters (8,700 US gallons) of gasoline. essence at the time.

Suleiman Yakubu, of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said that the location of the Otedola Bridge in the Berger region was a descent that drivers often take to fast pace

. Drivers of tanker trucks and articulated trucks had been warned to "put in place all the necessary safety checks".

Another road safety officer, who asked not to be identified, added: The owner of the vehicle

"People do not keep their vehicles in good condition."

Bolarinwa Dolarinwa Mufutau, a road mechanic, said that he had just repaired a car when he saw the tanker pull back.

"I could also hear the driver yelling" brake failure, brake failure. "I saw the mechanic (the assistant) trying to put a brake on preventing the tanker from backing off," was he told AFP

"But the truck crossed the corner back and immediately there was a bang, I thought it was a bomb and there was an explosion and a fire everywhere, so I started running away. "

The fire broke out in seconds, forcing motorists to abandon their cars and run away.