One person was confirmed dead after a commercial bus carrying 21 passengers crashed and caught fire along the Oko-Olowo Expressway in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening around Iye-Maja Junction after the bus, with registration number DTH840SA, reportedly suffered a punctured tyre while in motion.
The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the incident on Monday.
It said the crash caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which somersaulted before subsequently catching fire.
According to its public relations officer, Hassan Adekunle, the fire service said it received a distress call and arrived at the scene at about 6:35pm, where its personnel commenced emergency operations.
“The passengers were evacuated from the burning vehicle, while those who sustained injuries were taken to hospital for medical attention.
“However, one person was confirmed dead in the crash,” he said.
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commiserated with the family of the deceased and wished the injured victims speedy recovery.
He urged motorists, particularly commercial vehicle operators, to ensure their vehicles are properly maintained and roadworthy before embarking on journeys.
Alabi specifically advised motorists to regularly inspect tyres, braking systems, electrical components and other critical parts of their vehicles to detect faults early and prevent road emergencies.
He also urged motorists to exercise caution on highways and promptly report emergencies to relevant response agencies.
The Kwara State Fire Service said it remained committed to responding promptly to emergencies and protecting lives and property across the state.
