By Patrick Idowu
Tuesday afternoon’s gas explosion claimed the lives of 16 passengers in a lone accident at Buhari Estate, Kobape, along the Abeokuta-Shagamu Expressway.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that the crash, which occurred around 1:00 p.m., involved a commercial bus (KJA 949 YJ) carrying 21 passengers.
FRSC Public Education Officer, Florence Okpe, attributed the explosion to a gas-filled cylinder being transported in the vehicle.
She disclosed that while three passengers survived with injuries, the other 16 were burnt beyond recognition.
The injured victims were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta, for treatment.
Sector Commander Akinwunmi Fasakin, who led the rescue efforts, lamented the avoidable nature of the tragedy, warning against the unsafe transport of gas cylinders.
