The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has confirmed the recovery of five bodies from the site of a gas tanker explosion that occurred in the early hours of Friday along Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way.
Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, Director General of the agency confirmed in a statement that five bodies have been recovered and 13 injured persons evacuated to the hospital.
The statement was titled ‘Gas Tanker Explosion And Fire Outbreak At OPIC Plaza-Sheraton Hotel Maryland, Ikeja’.
“The Agency responded to a distress call shortly before midnight Thursday concerning an exploding gas tanker which was moving inward Ikeja at the above location.
“The resultant explosion affected the OPIC Plaza leading to an inferno which damaged 22 parked vehicles within the premises.
“First responders worked to control the spread to the adjacent properties as well as the nearby petrol station until 0400hrs Friday.
“Thirteen people were rescued, nine males, four females, they sustained various degree of burns and were provided with pre-hospital care before taking to Lagos State health facilities for further treatment.
“The affected truck has been moved, the entire affected area cordoned off and post-disaster assessment ongoing.”
Three adult bodies were found inside one of the stores at the OPIC plaza by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, and the Federal Road Safety Commission around 7am on Friday.
The bodies were discovered as the officials searched for a child whose mother was rescued at the wee hour of Friday.
Two other bodies that included a child, were said to have been discovered by a vulcaniser who led FRSC officials on traffic control duty to the spot.
