30 killed in Nigerian road accident
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-21 09:02

A fuel tanker crashed into two buses and burst into flames on a road in Nigeria's main city, killing at least 30 people, Nigerian Red Cross officials said Thursday.

Twelve other people were in critical condition with severe burns after Wednesday's crash in Lagos, local Red Cross Secretary General Abiodun Orebiyi said.

The accident started when two buses collided, and were then hit by a fuel tanker. Another two cars slammed into the pile-up and were engulfed in flames.

The 30 victims "died on the spot," said Orebiyi. "They were burned beyond recognition."

Highway crashes are frequent in Africa's most populous country of more than 126 million people. Police cite reckless driving as a major cause, while trucking and bus companies blame the dilapidated state of the roads.

More than 20 were killed when two buses collided near the southwestern city of Ibadan a week ago.

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