The Lagos State Government has confirmed the death of 12 persons as a result of the tanker accident resulting in an inferno at the Otedola bridge, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday.
The State’s Commissioner for health, Dr. Jide Idris, at a press conference in Lagos, explained that the victims of the accident were swiftly taken to three of its hospitals.
He listed the hospitals as the Accident & Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate, the Trauma & Burns Centre, Gbagada General Hospital and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for prompt medical treatment.
According to him, a total of seven patients were received at the facilities adding that five of the victims, comprising four males and a female were taken to the Trauma & Burns Centre, Gbagada General Hospital with varying degrees of burns.
“Unfortunately, we lost one of the patients who had 90% burns. The remaining four victims who had burns ranging between 8% to 48% burns are stable and responding to treatment.
“Additionally, two patients: a 48 year-old male who also presented with extensive burns and a 42 year-old male with soft tissue injuries were brought to the Burns and Plastic Unit, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). I wish to State that one of them has been discharged while the other person is stable and responding to treatment,” he explained
He also stated that 10 persons, including a minor regrettably lost their lives to the inferno where they were burnt beyond recognition adding that two others also lost their lives while receiving treatment at the health facilities.
“We also have received reports of some other survivors who are receiving treatment in some private hospitals. I wish to seek this opportunity to request that any PRIVATE HOSPITAL who has patients from the accident should please provide such information to the Ministry of Health for proper collation through this number – 08155140612 (Dr. Kola Korolo)
He added that:”While commiserating with the families of the victims who lost their lives and properties in the unfortunate fatal explosion, I wish to state that the State Government has left no stones unturned and would continue to do the needful in addressing and managing the issues surrounding the inferno.”
