A tense situation unfolded in the Apapa area of Lagos on Monday morning when a tanker loaded with diesel crashed at the Liverpool Bridge. The accident, which occurred around 10:30 am, caused immediate panic as a massive amount of fuel began to pour from the ruptured vehicle onto the busy roadway.
The tanker had just departed from a local tank farm and was making its way toward Mile 2 when the driver lost control. The vehicle reportedly got hooked on the side of the bridge before toppling over. The impact caused significant damage to the tanker’s structure, leading to an uncontrolled discharge of diesel that quickly spread across the bridge and even dripped down to the areas below.
The scene soon turned chaotic as news of the spill spread. Eyewitnesses, including clearing agents in the area, described a frantic atmosphere where the smell of fuel was thick in the air. Despite the obvious risk of a fire or explosion, many people, including traders from the nearby Liverpool fish market, rushed toward the wreck with plastic buckets and jerrycans to scoop up the leaking product.
Emergency responders, including the police and fire department, were quick to arrive and set up a cordon to protect the public. However, their task was made difficult by the sheer number of onlookers and “unscrupulous individuals” who continued to bypass security lines to collect the fuel. This behavior significantly increased the danger of a potential disaster in an already volatile environment.
Hon. Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, confirmed the details of the crash involving the Iveco tanker. He expressed deep concern over the spill, particularly how the fuel was flowing from the elevated bridge to the ground below. He emphasized that the actions of those attempting to scoop the diesel were compounding an already hazardous situation. Recovery operations are currently underway to clear the wreckage and neutralize the spill to ensure the safety of motorists.
