40 dead in Nigeria accident

NAIROBI/LAGOS - At least 40 people have died in a flaming multi-car pile-up near the Nigerian city of Lagos, reports said Monday.

An articulated lorry smashed into a queue of vehicles waiting to navigate a police

checkpoint Sunday, the Nigerian Tribune, quoting witnesses, said.

At least 15 vehicles were engulfed in flames, including two mini-buses, in which the majority of the people died.

Road accidents are common in Africa’s most-populous country as vehicles in poor mechanical condition jostle for position on the often busy roads.