By Huldah Shado
A commercial bus driver and a female passenger were burnt beyond recognition on Tuesday, February 10, after a minibus conveying nine people burst into flames along the Okota-Mile 2 road in Lagos State.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), said the crash was triggered when an unidentified private vehicle allegedly reversed on the main carriageway, forcing the bus to brake suddenly.
The driver reportedly lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn several times before catching fire.
LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, said investigations showed the driver was conveying a five-litre container of petrol inside the bus, which ignited after the crash and intensified the fire.
He said LASTMA officials on routine surveillance rescued eight passengers and evacuated them to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Authorities have launched an investigation and are working to identify the private vehicle linked to the incident.
