By Uche Mbah
A passenger train that was traveling from Sango Otta in Ogun state to Iddo in Lagos has reportedly derailed around Ashade, a suburb of Lagos. Ashade is in Mangoro area of Agege. It was close to the Agege ram market. One of the coaches skidded off the track and was hit by the next coach, resulting in passengers being trapped and many trying to escape.
It is not clear what has caused the derailment but it was suggested by a member of the rescue team on ground that one line of the rail the rail was fealty. Reports indicate that many passengers have been trapped and several wounded. Several passenger were said to be sitting on the roof of the train and were flung off. Others were seen jumping out of the window. The train was packed to full capacity. Many are said to be wounded, and according to a staff of Lagos Emergency Management Agency on ground, they have been rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile rescue operations are on.
The issue overcrowded passenger trains in Lagos has been a worrisome phenomenon in recent times, with passengers endangering their lives in a bid to cut transportation costs.
