Wednesday, 22 January, 2025
At least 70 people were killed and many others injured in a tragic explosion on Saturday in northern Nigeria, when a petrol tanker overturned, spilling fuel that ignited. The explosion, which occurred in Niger state, caused widespread destruction, including the damage to over 15 shops.
The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) confirmed the disaster, reporting that 56 individuals were injured in addition to the fatalities. This incident mirrors a similar tragedy that occurred last October in Jigawa state, where a tanker explosion claimed 147 lives, marking one of Nigeria’s worst accidents of this kind.
NEMA continues to assess the situation as authorities work to recover bodies and provide aid to the injured.
"The injured have been transported to hospitals for treatment, while recovery efforts for the deceased are ongoing."
A Reuters witness said residents and officials were digging graves with a view to bury the victims on Saturday night in accordance with Islamic rites. Niger is a largely Muslim state in Africa's most populous nation.
Earlier, Kumar Tsukwam, the Federal Road Safety Corps sector commander for Niger state, said most of the victims were impoverished local residents who had rushed to scoop up the spilt petrol after the truck overturned.
"Large crowd of people gathered to scoop fuel despite concerted efforts to stop them," Tsukwam said in a statement.
Tsukwam said firefighters had managed to put out the fire.
Such accidents have become common in Africa's largest oil producer, killing dozens of people in the country grappling with its worst cost of living crisis in a generation.
Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023 and eliminated a long-standing fuel subsidy, the price of petrol in Nigeria has surged by more than 400%, significantly affecting the cost of living for many Nigerians.
Bologi Ibrahim, a spokesperson for the Niger state governor, emphasized that residents should prioritize their safety when encountering petrol tanker accidents. This advice follows a series of tragic incidents involving fuel trucks, which have caused substantial loss of life and property. Ibrahim urged people to exercise caution and avoid risky behaviors, especially in areas where accidents involving these highly flammable vehicles occur.
Comments
At least 70 people were killed and many others injured in a tragic explosion on Saturday in northern Nigeria, when a petrol tanker overturned, spilling fuel that ignited. The explosion, which occurred in Niger state, caused widespread destruction, including the damage to over 15 shops.
The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) confirmed the disaster, reporting that 56 individuals were injured in addition to the fatalities. This incident mirrors a similar tragedy that occurred last October in Jigawa state, where a tanker explosion claimed 147 lives, marking one of Nigeria’s worst accidents of this kind.
NEMA continues to assess the situation as authorities work to recover bodies and provide aid to the injured.
"The injured have been transported to hospitals for treatment, while recovery efforts for the deceased are ongoing."
A Reuters witness said residents and officials were digging graves with a view to bury the victims on Saturday night in accordance with Islamic rites. Niger is a largely Muslim state in Africa's most populous nation.
Earlier, Kumar Tsukwam, the Federal Road Safety Corps sector commander for Niger state, said most of the victims were impoverished local residents who had rushed to scoop up the spilt petrol after the truck overturned.
"Large crowd of people gathered to scoop fuel despite concerted efforts to stop them," Tsukwam said in a statement.
Tsukwam said firefighters had managed to put out the fire.
Such accidents have become common in Africa's largest oil producer, killing dozens of people in the country grappling with its worst cost of living crisis in a generation.
Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023 and eliminated a long-standing fuel subsidy, the price of petrol in Nigeria has surged by more than 400%, significantly affecting the cost of living for many Nigerians.
Bologi Ibrahim, a spokesperson for the Niger state governor, emphasized that residents should prioritize their safety when encountering petrol tanker accidents. This advice follows a series of tragic incidents involving fuel trucks, which have caused substantial loss of life and property. Ibrahim urged people to exercise caution and avoid risky behaviors, especially in areas where accidents involving these highly flammable vehicles occur.
Comments
