Tragedy struck on the Ife - Ibadan Expressway on Sunday as 11 persons, including children, were burnt to death after an 18 -seater bus collided with a fuel tanker.

The accident, which caused gridlock on the expressway, reportedly happened around 11 am at a roundabout opposite Moremi Estate, in front of Energy Filling Station in Ile Ife .

The diesel - laden tanker was said to be negotiating the roundabout when the passenger bus , which was said to be coming from Ore in Ondo State , reportedly rammed into it from behind.

Our correspondent gathered that the bus caught fire and the passengers , who became unconscious due to the impact of the collision, became trapped inside the burning vehicle .

Nine passengers were said to have died on the spot, while some of the victims , who were rescued , eventually gave up the ghost.
One victim was said to be in a critical condition at the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Ile Ife .

One of the residents of Ile Ife , who was at the scene of the crash , told our correspondent that the Nissan Urvan bus was also loaded with vehicle spare parts scrap metal , which made it difficult for the passengers to escape from the burning vehicle .
The resident , who identified himself as Macdonald Oladipupo , said , “The accident happened opposite Moremi Estate this morning ( Sunday) . The tanker was making a U -turn , while the bus that was coming from Ore rammed into it.

“Nine of the passengers inside the bus died . A rescue team from the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital came to rescue others . I learnt that some of them later died .”

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Osun State , Mr . Anthony Oko , confirmed the accident to our correspondent on the telephone .
He said , “No fewer than 11 persons died . A tanker was said to be making a U- turn and a bus coming from Ore rammed into it. The bus caught fire and 11 of the passengers , including the driver died .

“The bus had 12 passengers and the remaining passenger of the bus is in danger list at a hospital . I just pray he survives, but his condition is very bad.
“He suffered third degree burns, but nothing happened to the tanker driver . He ran away immediately after the accident .”

Oko said the driver would be arrested with the help of the police .
He appealed to drivers to always obey road signs and to make sure that their vehicles were in good condition before putting them on the road .

shhhh

So tragic...so many road accidents.
Prayers for the surviving family members of the victims...