Tragedy struck yesterday at the Otedola bridge inward Berger when a Mack Tanker loaded with Premium motor spirit (PMS -petrol) exploded in the midst of traffic. Eyewitnesses recounted that the reason for the explosion was due to spillage of the contents after falling because of brake failure. The incidence that occurred around 5.23 pm left some causalities in the carnage. About nine bodies, eight adults and I minor confirmed dead, four persons injured with degrees of burns while a total number of fifty-four vehicles burnt. The fifty-four vehicles include one tanker, five buses, two trucks, I tricycle and forty- five cars.

Some unconfirmed eyewitnesses report say that a commercial bus driver dropped off passengers at undesignated bus stop and hurriedly went back into the fast lane without looking at his side. This caused the tanker driver to step on his brakes trying to avoid him. The tanker fell spilling its contents on the road before exploding into raging fire that consumed people and vehicles on its trail.