No fewer than 17 passengers travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday, 11th of November 2026 reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries as the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicle in which they were travelling exploded.
The incident occurred at Berger Bus Stop when the fully loaded Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number EKY 798 YK, caught fire following a gas explosion.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), its personnel swiftly mobilised to the scene and successfully evacuated 17 occupants, including the driver.
However, one male passenger, who was seated at the rear of the vehicle, sustained severe burn injuries during the incident. He was immediately rescued and taken to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre, Toll Gate, for urgent medical attention.
Officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also responded promptly, deploying firefighting equipment to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, applauded the Authority’s personnel for their courage, professionalism and prompt intervention, which facilitated the rescue of 17 occupants.
Bakare-Oki said the incident underscored the importance of rapid emergency response, effective inter-agency collaboration and the deployment of adequately trained personnel in managing road emergencies.
He urged commercial transport operators, particularly those using CNG-powered vehicles, to ensure regular professional inspections, proper vehicle maintenance and strict compliance with prescribed safety standards, especially concerning their gas storage and delivery systems.
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