Death toll from Ikeja gas explosion rises to five, including a Child

The death toll from the Ikeja gas tanker explosion of Thursday night has climbed to five persons, including a child.

It was earlier reported that a gas tanker exploded in Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way in Ikeja, Lagos, around 11 pm on Thursday, June 17.

Following a search by operatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the bodies of 3 male adults were found inside one of the stores at the OPIC plaza.

It was gathered that a woman was at the Chinese Restaurant with her child when the explosion occurred. While she was being evacuated by fire fighters, she kept crying about her child which gave insight that someone was trapped inside.

The operatives did a further search and found the bodies of 2 more people, one of which was a child.

Speaking on the rescue operation, the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu said,

“First responders worked to control the spread to the adjacent properties as well as the nearby petrol station until 0400hrs Friday.

Thirteen people with various degrees of burns were rescued comprising nine males and four females. They were provided with pre hospital care before taken 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”