18 dead in terrible accident after Toyota Hiace explodes on highway

• 18 people lost their lives in the horrific accident involving a Toyota Hiace Matatu on the Ijebu-Ode/Ore Expressway
• Traffic officials in Ogun State said the accident was caused by petrol in a jerrycan stored in the matatu.
• According to officials, the incident occurred after the gasoline canister accidentally fell to the floor of the vehicle and ignited

Amos Khaemba, journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience in reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Ogun State – At least 18 people have been killed in a horrific accident on the Ijebu-Ode/Ore Expressway in Nigeria.

Traffic officials said the accident occurred after a Toyota Hiace with registration number XA 690AKU exploded in the middle of the road.

What caused the accident on the Ore Expressway?

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The Ogun State Transport Authority confirmed that the victims were burned beyond recognition when petrol stored in a canister in the vehicle ignited.

Preliminary investigations revealed that gasoline flowed onto the floor of the vehicle and later dripped into the exhaust pipe, causing it to catch fire.

“According to eyewitness reports, and this was confirmed by the driver, there was a barrel full of petroleum motor spirit on the bus.

When the vehicle hit a rough stretch of road, it fell on its side. The PMS spilled on the floor of the bus and later fell on the exhaust pipe, causing the vehicle to catch fire while driving,” said a traffic report carried by News Central TV.

The driver survived with partial burns, was rescued and taken to Rona Hospital, while the dead were awaiting autopsy in the State Hospital morgue.

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State officials warned motorists not to store fuel in jerry cans and expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased.

How six children died in Kitui

In Kenya, six schoolchildren died in a gruesome accident near the Wiitu shopping center in Kitui.

Vincent Loctary, deputy district commissioner of Ithitha, said the victims included three students from Kyaoni Primary School and three from Kyaoni Secondary School.

Authorities said five of the victims were girls. According to the deputy district commissioner, the schoolgirls were hit by a Probox vehicle at 6:20 a.m. while crossing the road.

Source: TUKO.co.ke