Panic and confusion engulfed the Ovia River axis of the Benin-Ore Expressway in Edo State on Wednesday after a Dangote Cement truck reportedly crashed, leaving more than 15 persons feared dead and several others injured.
The truck, laden with cement and branded with the Dangote logo, was said to have lost control before crashing into multiple vehicles and plunging near the Ovia River bridge in Ovia North-East Local Government Area.
Eyewitnesses said the devastating accident triggered a major rescue operation as emergency responders, divers and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) rushed to the scene.
Several victims were reportedly trapped in the wreckage, while rescue teams battled to save survivors and recover bodies from the accident scene.
The incident also caused a massive traffic gridlock along the busy highway, leaving hundreds of commuters and motorists stranded for hours.
Further details obtained by this online newspaper revealed that rescue efforts were still ongoing as of the time of filing this report, with fears that the death toll could rise.
However, authorities are yet to officially confirm the number of casualties.
The FRSC had yet to issue an official statement on the tragic incident as rescue operations continued.
