A major disaster was narrowly avoided in Lagos State after a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of ethanol fell while negotiating a turn at the Second Rainbow Bridge in the Amuwo Odofin area.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) disclosed that the incident occurred on Wednesday when the FOTON truck reportedly lost stability due to speeding, causing its turntable to detach and obstruct the roundabout.
According to the agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, no casualties were recorded.
Given the highly flammable nature of ethanol and the risk of fire or explosion, emergency responders swiftly cordoned off the area and implemented crowd and traffic control measures.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Fire Service applied chemical foam to the tanker and surrounding area to suppress fumes and reduce the risk of a secondary incident.
The police and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority also assisted in securing the scene.
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In a separate incident, a Dangote cement truck reportedly climbed a road divider and became stuck at Oke Koto, Agege, obstructing traffic. LASEMA deployed heavy-duty recovery equipment to remove the vehicle, and the road was subsequently reopened.
No deaths or injuries were reported in the Agege incident.
Oke-Osanyintolu commended the emergency responders for their swift intervention and urged motorists to obey speed limits and traffic regulations, particularly when transporting heavy or hazardous materials.
He also encouraged residents to report emergencies through LASEMA’s toll-free numbers, 767 and 112.
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