At least one person lost his life, while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries in two separate road accidents that occurred on Tuesday.

The accidents took place along the Otedola Bridge area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and at Ijebu Imusin, near Imeri Junction, along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.

An incident report by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), signed by its Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, revealed that the accident at Otedola Bridge occurred during the early hours of the day.

The collision involved four articulated trucks laden with containers. Preliminary investigations indicated that reckless driving caused the crash, leaving one person dead and three others injured.

“On arrival at the scene, the agency’s Response Team discovered that a multiple-truck accident had occurred. The force of the collision caused the trucks to get stuck to each other,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.

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“Unfortunately, one adult male extricated from beneath one of the trucks succumbed to his injuries. Three adult males sustained varying degrees of injuries, with two victims receiving initial medical attention at the scene before being transported to the Accident and Emergency Centre.”

In a separate incident, the Commandant General of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Seni Ogunyemi, reported a lone accident involving a white Sienna vehicle with registration number RBC 751 XU.

The accident occurred at Ijebu Imusin, before Imeri Junction, along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway. Excessive speed, which led to a loss of control, was identified as the cause of the crash.

Of the six occupants, three females sustained injuries, while no fatalities were recorded.

TRACE operatives transported the injured victims to Ronal Hospital, Ijebu Ode, for medical treatment.

Authorities have urged motorists to prioritize safety and avoid reckless driving to prevent further tragedies on the nation’s highways.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced that it is closely monitoring the global rise in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases, particularly in China, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

The announcement comes as countries report increasing hospital admissions linked to HMPV, especially among children and older adults.

NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, disclosed in a public health advisory on Monday night that while Nigeria’s surveillance system has not recorded an unusual increase in respiratory infections, proactive measures are being implemented to strengthen the country’s preparedness.

Dr. Idris revealed that the NCDC, in collaboration with Port Health Authorities, is working to enhance readiness at all international points of entry. An Entry Implementation Protocol on HMPV, approved by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, is being developed and will guide response activities at ports of entry.

He emphasized that quarantine facilities are being prepared to manage suspected or confirmed cases if necessary. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) materials, including face masks, gloves, and hygiene supplies, are also being deployed to ensure adherence to safety protocols.

The National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance (NISS) system, which monitors Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI), has been expanded to include testing for HMPV. Laboratories in states with international airports are being equipped to conduct HMPV testing, ensuring early detection and appropriate care for patients.

Addressing rumors, Dr. Idris clarified that the World Health Organization (WHO) has not declared HMPV a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). He urged the public to disregard false claims and remain informed through verified sources.

Recent reports indicate a surge in HMPV cases in several countries, with the United Kingdom witnessing significant hospitalizations, particularly among children under five and elderly residents in care homes. This trend has prompted health authorities worldwide to enhance preparedness measures.

Dr. Idris stressed the importance of vigilance and collaboration with state governments to activate treatment centers and stockpile essential medical supplies. He added, “Supportive care and a high index of suspicion are crucial in managing potential cases effectively.”

The NCDC assured Nigerians of its commitment to safeguarding public health, urging citizens to adhere to hygiene practices and report any respiratory illness symptoms promptly.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Dingri County in Tibet’s Xizang Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning, leaving at least 53 people dead, 62 injured, and more than 1,000 homes damaged, according to Chinese state media.

The tremor, which occurred near the border with Nepal at 9:05 am local time, caused widespread destruction, collapsing buildings and scattering debris across towns. The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) confirmed the quake’s magnitude at 6.8, while the US Geological Survey reported it as 7.1.

Videos shared by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed destroyed homes, rubble-strewn streets, and surveillance footage of residents running for safety as shelves in stores shook violently. Rescue workers were seen distributing thick blankets to locals as temperatures in the region plunged to minus 8 degrees Celsius, expected to drop further to minus 18 by nightfall.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “full-scale search and rescue efforts” to minimize casualties and ensure the safety and warmth of affected residents during the winter. Disaster relief supplies, including cotton tents, quilts, and cold-weather gear, were dispatched to the high-altitude region, which is home to approximately 62,000 people and located on the Chinese side of Mount Everest.

The earthquake’s impact extended beyond China, with tremors felt in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and parts of India. In Nepal’s Namche region near Everest, residents reported strong shaking, though no casualties or major damage had been recorded as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Nepal’s Home Ministry.

Earthquakes are a common occurrence in the Himalayan region due to tectonic activity along the Indian and Eurasian plates. However, Tuesday’s quake is the most powerful recorded within a 200-kilometre radius in the past five years, according to the CENC.

The devastating tremor is reminiscent of past seismic events in the region. In December 2023, an earthquake in northwest China’s Gansu province claimed 148 lives, while subzero temperatures complicated relief efforts. Similarly, Nepal suffered significant losses in 2015 when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people and injured more than 22,000.

As rescue teams in Tibet work to assess the full extent of the damage, authorities have warned of the challenges posed by the harsh winter and remote terrain. Local officials are reaching out to impacted townships to provide aid and assistance as the region braces for a difficult recovery.