At least 60 people were reportedly burned to death in a tragic auto crash on Friday at Oko-Olowo, along the Ilorin-Jebba Expressway, in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The accident occurred when a trailer, loaded with fertilizer, collided with a petrol-laden truck while attempting to overtake. This caused a massive explosion, resulting in an inferno.
The victims, who were reportedly traveling from the northern part of the country, were burned beyond recognition in the crash. Burnt body parts, such as skulls, arms, and legs, were found in the wreckage. Some victims were completely reduced to ashes.
The crash occurred around 8:30 am on Friday. For more than two hours, both sides of the road were impassable due to the raging fire. It was only at around 10:30 am that officials from the Kwara State Fire Service arrived at the scene to put out the flames.
Eyewitness Sheu Arobadi recounted the incident, explaining that the trailer, which was loaded with fertilizer, tried to overtake the petrol truck. This caused a collision between the two vehicles, which resulted in the explosion.
Arobadi described how people who were on top of the vehicles scrambled to escape. Many of them suffered broken limbs as they jumped down from the vehicles to avoid the flames.
He also witnessed a father throwing his child out of the burning vehicle before he jumped to safety. Those who sustained injuries, such as fractures, were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Residents in the area are very concerned because accidents like this happen regularly on the expressway. They report that accidents occur at least once a week, resulting in heavy loss of lives and property.
The community is calling on the government to find a lasting solution to these frequent accidents. Some suggestions include building of overhead bridge to check the development.
