No fewer than three persons have been confirmed dead, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a tragic road accident caused by a brake failure involving a heavy-duty trailer in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The incident, which occurred around Beere axis of the ancient city, threw residents and traders into panic as the out-of-control vehicle wreaked havoc along its path.

Eyewitnesses said the articulated vehicle was descending from Beere Roundabout after passing through Oja’Oba when it developed mechanical faults. The driver reportedly lost control as the braking system failed while approaching Beere Junction.

In the ensuing chaos, the trailer veered off course and ploughed into several road users, including cars, commercial motorcyclists and pedestrians. The impact left a trail of destruction, with multiple casualties recorded at the scene.

The worst-hit area was Iso-Osan, popularly known as Orange Market, where the vehicle rammed into shops and roadside structures, destroying goods and injuring several traders and residents.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with people scampering for safety while others were trapped in the path of the speeding trailer.

Emergency responders and security personnel were said to have arrived promptly, evacuating victims and restoring order, while also managing traffic disruptions caused by the incident.

The deceased have been deposited in a morgue, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Some of the victims were reported to be in critical condition as of press time.

Authorities have since secured the area to prevent further casualties and facilitate ongoing rescue and recovery operations.