One person has been confirmed dead while 20 others sustained injuries after a commercial bus carrying 21 passengers somersaulted and caught fire along the Oko-Olowo Expressway in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The accident occurred around Iye-Maja Junction on Sunday evening after the bus, with registration number DTH840SA, reportedly suffered a tyre puncture while in motion.
The tyre failure caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, which subsequently somersaulted and caught fire.
The Kwara State Fire Service said firefighters arrived at the scene at about 6:35 pm after receiving a distress call and immediately commenced rescue operations.
According to the agency, all the passengers were evacuated from the burning vehicle, while those who sustained injuries were taken to hospital for medical attention. One passenger was later confirmed dead.
The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and urged motorists, particularly commercial vehicle operators, to ensure their vehicles are properly maintained and roadworthy before embarking on journeys.
He stressed the importance of regularly inspecting tyres, braking systems, electrical components and other critical parts of vehicles to prevent avoidable road emergencies.
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