At least six persons have died while several others injured as a passenger train crushed a Lagos state government staff bus at PWD/Shogunle axis, Ikeja area of the state on Thursday morning.
The train was coming from Agege area and met the bus with the Lagos state government workers on board crossing the rail to link Ikeja GRA.
One of the onlookers told news men that the tragic incident which happened as early as around 8:00 am claimed a number of lives, an update on the situation put the death toll at 6 as at the time of filing this report.
OnlinePikin learnt that the victims of the accident who were workers of the Lagos State Government have been carried to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
Meanwhile the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu has declared a 3-day mourning period for the victims while the Federal Government has ordered a probe into the incident.
6 confirmed dead, several others injured in ghastly accident between a train and BRT staff bus @ PWD, Lagos today. #LASUTH #Ikeja pic.twitter.com/wRATjJStg1
— OnlinePikin (@Online_Pikin) March 9, 2023
This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
“The incident happened around 7:38 this morning. As you can see the train collided with a bus. But, we have activated our emergency effort plan, and all key stakeholders that are important in emergency are on the ground,” said Oke-Osanyintolu.
Speaking about casualties, he said, “We were able to rescue people and recover two bodies. And the operation is still ongoing.”
“I can’t really talk about the number of the casualty but there are casualties that have been taking to the LASUTH,” Oke-Osanyintolu added.
The accident caused a gridlock on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway from for motorists coming from Oshodi around Shogunle to Ikeja-Along.
6 Dead, Scores Injured as Train Crushes BRT Bus in Lagos #Ikeja #Lagos #BRT pic.twitter.com/XJO69JLSRn
— OnlinePikin (@Online_Pikin) March 9, 2023
Operatives of the LASEMA, the Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Police Command and the Nigerian Army were present at the scene of the accident.