No fewer than seven worshippers were burnt to death, while seven others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a lone accident along the Sagamu-Benin expressway on Wednesday.

The accident which occurred at Odogbolu junction of the expressway involved a Mazda bus with registration number AGL 886 YD.

It was gathered that the incident occured when a 15-passenger bus suddenly burst into flames due to engine oil overflow along the Sagamu-Benin expressway.

Confirming the accident, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, disclosed that the incident occured at about 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday.

Akinbiyi said the victims were worshippers who were coming from Kosofe area of Lagos State inbound Epe for a church programme.

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He said 15 people were in the bus comprising one male adult and 14 females, adding that the driver of the bus escaped unhurt.

“According to eyewitness account, the bus burst into flames suddenly due to engine oil overflow.

“The number of passengers in the commercial bus was 15, out of which seven females were burnt to death, while the remaining seven were seriously burnt and taken to Ijebu-Ode General Hospital for treatment.

“The accidented Mazda bus has been taken to Odogbolu Motor Traffic Division,” Akinbiyi disclosed.

He, however, commiserated with the families of the deceased and wished the injured speedy recovery.

The TRACE spokesperson urged motorists to maintain and service their vehicles regularly and also carry out daily routine check on the vehicle before embarking on a journey.

The Star