*Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister for Aviation, on behalf of the Federal Government, assures citizens of the capacity of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the聽 accident to prevent future occurrence

*I am deeply saddened by the news of the accident, says Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu聽

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) experts to commence immediate investigation into the bus-train crash that occurred Thursday, March 9, 2023.

The accident, which involved a moving train operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had rammed into a Lagos State Government (LASG) staff bus around the PWD/Shogunle and Ikeja axis of the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State

绿帽献妻 reports the accident resulted in the death of at least six passengers, while 80 others sustained various degrees of injuries.

The ill-fated bus with Lagos registration number; 04A- 48LA, number 33, was heading for Alausa, in Ikeja, from Isolo, and in the processing of beating other motorists at the PWD rail crossing around Shogunle, collided with an oncoming train.

The ill-fated bus was carrying several passengers, majorly civil servants, and some dependants, according to reports.

Government expresses sympathy, describes accident ‘unfortunate’: Minister

Reacting to the bus-train crash incident Thursday, Senator Hadi Sirika, Honourable Minister for Aviation, on behalf of the Federal Government, directed the NSIB experts to commence immediate investigation.

Sympathisers at the scene of the crash

Sen. Sirika described the accident as 鈥渦nfortunate”.

The Minister also assured the Nigerians of the capacity of the Bureau to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the accident with the aim to proffer ways of preventing future occurrence.

The Nigerian Government solicited the cooperation of members of the public as the NSIB team’s investigation into the bus-train crash聽 team commenced.

Sirika also noted the Nigerian Government commiserated with the Lagos State Government and Lagosians, especially, those who have lost their loved ones, on the sad event, and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured in the accident.

Emergency rescue officials immediately mobiles to convey the injured the three persons that died on the spot, and others injured to the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the General Hospital Gbagada for treatment.

Among about 80 surviving victims, there were 42 moderately-injured persons, 29 serious injuries, and eight mild injuries.

Likewise, 25 persons have been treated and transferred to Gbagada General Hospital, Agege General Hospital, and trauma centre at toll gate, according to reports.

Sanwo-Olu declares 3-day mourning, directs flags flying at half-mast

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State, in swift response, after visiting the scene of the incident in Ikeja and hospitals where the injured are being treated, expressed deep shock and sorrow over the unfortunate incident.

Sanwo-Olu thereafter declared three-day mourning and directed flags to fly at half-mast and civil servants work half day Friday, March 10.

Speaking at LASUTH Ikeja earlier, the Lagos State Governor commiserated with the victims crash as he had cancelled all public engagements for the day, and paused his ongoing political campaigns across the state.

The governor said: 鈥淚 am deeply saddened by the news of the accident. The vehicle was conveying staff of the Lagos State Government, our staff who serve the state in different capacities.

鈥淟et鈥檚 say a prayer for the families and a prayer of mercy and protection for our state.”

He further said: 鈥淢y thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.

鈥淭his is a very sober time for us as a government, and while we acknowledge God as the giver of life, the one who determines every man鈥檚 destiny, it saddens when we have incidents like this.”

Sanwo-Olu stated: 鈥淭he fatal accident happened at the rail crossing around PWD in the Shogunle area.

“I believe they were coming from the express and needed a right turn, and wanted to drag over the rail.

鈥淚t is not yet clear what happened, but it seems like a wrong judgement by the driver. I also learnt he has turned himself to the police, and so investigations will determine what actually went wrong. We would also reach out to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to give their own account of what transpired so we can have full information.”

The governor as well noted: 鈥淲e haven鈥檛 informed any family members yet because these are civil servants that were going to work so we cannot begin to disclose names until when families have been contacted.

鈥淥f the number of injured persons, 25 were treated very quickly an transferred to the Gbagada General Hospital, Agege General Hospital and the trauma centre at toll gate, so this place (LASUTH) can be decongested and proper profiling of injuries can be done.

鈥淭here will be half day of work tomorrow (today) so we can jointly mourn our staff, our loved ones, and the dead can be buried. Flags will also fly at half mast for the next three days, and we are also declaring a three-day state mourning for the deceased.鈥�

Lagos Governor appreciates all

Sanwo-Olu commended the residents, as well as those assisted the first responders in the search and rescue operation.

The true spirit of Lagos must be sustained at all times, said he.

Sanwo-Olu also thanked the first responders, LASUTH and LASUCOM staff and several arms of security agencies for their prompt response at the scene of the accident.

He said: 鈥淎 big thank you to well-meaning Lagosians who immediately joined in rescue efforts.

“Our first responders and emergency services are on ground and we will share more information shortly.”

Sanwo-Olu further assured聽 Nigerians, that Lagos State has the capacity to tackle emergencies, as he revealed that investigation had started and regular updates would be given as necessary.

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