One person has been confirmed dead while several others sustained injuries after a commercial bus carrying 21 passengers somersaulted and caught fire along the Oko-Olowo Expressway in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The accident occurred around Iye-Maja Junction on Sunday after the bus, with registration number DTH840SA, reportedly suffered a punctured tyre while in motion, causing the driver to lose control.

The Kwara State Fire Service spokesperson, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday, saying firefighters received a distress call and arrived at the scene at about 6:35 p.m.

According to the Fire Service, the passengers were evacuated from the vehicle, while those who sustained injuries were taken to hospital for treatment.

One person was confirmed dead in the crash.

The Chief Fire Officer in the state, Alabi Muhammed, commiserated with the family of the deceased and urged motorists, particularly commercial drivers, to ensure their vehicles were properly maintained and roadworthy before embarking on journeys.

He stressed the importance of regularly inspecting tyres, braking systems, electrical components and other critical vehicle parts to prevent avoidable accidents.

Muhammed also advised motorists to exercise caution on the highways and urged members of the public to promptly report emergencies to relevant response agencies.