Panic gripped motorists and residents on Monday after a diesel laden tanker fell off Otedola Bridge and exploded along the Lagos Ibadan Expressway.

The incident occurred in the afternoon along the Otedola Bridge axis towards Berger in Lagos. The tanker was said to have fallen off the bridge and immediately exploded, resulting in a massive fire that engulfed the area under the bridge.

According to eyewitnesses, the explosion triggered thick black smoke that could be seen from a distance, while videos circulating on social media showed flames raging under the bridge as motorists abandoned their vehicles and fled for safety.

The development was confirmed by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA. The spokesperson of the agency, Olawale Afolabi, said the agency received a distress report at about 4:24 pm that a tanker was on fire under the Otedola Bridge along the Lagos Ibadan Expressway.

Afolabi disclosed that upon receiving the report, the agency immediately deployed its Tiger response team to the scene of the incident to manage the situation and prevent escalation.

He explained that emergency responders were deployed to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjoining areas and other vehicles plying the busy corridor. He added that efforts were ongoing to bring the situation under control and ensure the safety of lives and property.

As of the time of filing this report, the extent of damage caused by the explosion and whether there were casualties had not been officially confirmed by the authorities. Motorists were advised to avoid the axis and make use of alternative routes pending the containment of the fire.

The Otedola Bridge corridor along the Lagos Ibadan Expressway has in recent years witnessed similar tanker accidents involving fuel laden trucks, raising renewed concerns over the safety of articulated vehicles, road worthiness and emergency response measures along the busy highway.