Many feared dead as Lagos train derails in Agege

THERE was pandemonium in Agege area of Lagos on Thursday when an 8 am Lagos Mass Transit train derailed at Ashade level crossing, leaving many feared dead and injured.

This is even as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) stated that only one passenger as been confirmed injured pending when the fallen coaches get lifted up from the ground.

As at the time of filing in this report, it was gathered that the derailed coaches are yet to be lifted up from the ground, fueling speculation that trapped human bodies could still be beneath the fallen down passenger coaches.

Speaking to Nigerian Tribune exclusively, a passenger who was onboard the train explained that three coaches filled to capacity by passengers derailed and fell to the ground at Ashade level crossing when the early morning train was on its way from Agege train station to Ikeja train station.

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The passenger who simply identified himself as Simeon Alabi stated that “We had already departed the Agege train station when we heard a loud bang on the nearby walkway beside the rail tracks.

“The train stopped and many of us rushed down only to discover that three coaches earlier linked to the moving train had fallen off, and fell on the ground. The fallen coaches were filled with passengers while some people also hanged on the train.

“As I am speaking to you, the train has not been lifted from the ground, and we don’t know if there is anybody trapped beneath the fallen coaches. However, some of the injured has been rushed to a nearby hospital.”

When contacted, the Lagos District Manager of the NRC, Engineer Jerry Oche said he was on leave. He, however, directed our Correspondent to one Engineer Augustine Arisa who is currently acting on his behalf.

In the words of Engineer Arisa, “An early morning train derailed near Ashade level crossing this morning, and some of the coaches fell on the ground.

“For now, one person has been confirmed injured and has been rushed to the hospital. Until the fallen coaches get lifted, only one passenger has been confirmed injured.”

It was also gathered that the NRC has summoned one of its cranes to come and lift up the three fallen coaches.