A tanker loaded with diesel has fallen on the Liverpool Bridge in the Apapa area of Lagos State, spilling its contents across the roadway.

The incident, which occurred on Monday, saw residents of the area scooping the highly inflammable fuel into jerrycans and buckets, apparently without regard for the associated risks.

Confirming the development in a statement shared via X, the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) said traffic was diverted to the other side of the bridge as a safety measure.

According to the statement, emergency officials, including operatives of the Lagos State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and LASTMA, were immediately deployed to the scene to avert a potential tragedy.

Also present were officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).

“Their presence is to prevent fire outbreaks, evacuate the truck, and ensure the free flow of traffic,” the agency stated.

As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the accident remained unclear, with no confirmation as to whether the tanker suffered brake failure.

A video shared by LASTMA showed several individuals gathering at the scene with containers to scoop as much diesel as possible from the fallen tanker.

There was, however, no fire outbreak recorded at the scene.

LASTMA later announced that the section of the road earlier closed had been reopened.

“The road on Liverpool Bridge inward Apapa that was cordoned off has been reopened after the contents were neutralised by officers of the Lagos State Fire Service,” the statement said.

“LASTMA officials are doing the needful, and traffic is expected to move better, while we await the arrival of a tow truck. Men of the Lagos State Fire Service and rescue team are on ground doing the needful.”

The agency added that, pending full recovery of the vehicle, part of the bridge had been cordoned off, with a counter-flow traffic control method in operation, resulting in slow vehicular movement along the corridor.

“There is a fallen tanker loaded with diesel on top of Liverpool Bridge inward Mile 2. The diesel is spreading on the bridge as a result of the damaged tank,” the statement noted.

“Men of the Nigeria Police Force from Area B and other safety agencies have been swiftly notified. Traffic has been diverted to the other side of the bridge for safety measures.”