Police confirmed that at least 94 people were killed and 50 injured in the incident. Residents gathered near the overturned tanker to collect the spilled fuel At least 94 people were killed and 50 injured after a tanker truck exploded, Nigerian police confirmed.
The incident happened in the northern state of Jigawa on Tuesday evening. Several victims approached the damaged tank and tried to recover the fuel spilled on the road.
Such incidents are relatively common in Nigeria, where fuel prices are extremely high compared to average income, especially in poor rural areas. Nigeria does not yet have an adequate rail network for the transportation of goods as the Nigeria Disaster
Nigeria: almost 100 dead from the explosion of a tanker truck
Police confirmed that at least 94 people were killed and 50 injured in the incident. Residents are said to have gathered near the damaged tank to collect the spilled fuel.
People were killed as they ran to collect the spilled fuel
At least 94 people have been killed and 50 injured after a tanker truck exploded, Nigerian police confirmed on Wednesday.
The incident happened in the northern state of Jigawa on Tuesday evening. Several victims approached the damaged tank and tried to recover the fuel spilled on the road. Such incidents are relatively common in Nigeria, where fuel prices are extremely high compared to average income, especially in poor rural areas.
Nigeria also lacks an adequate rail network for transporting goods such as oil.
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State broadcaster Radio Nigeria quoted Jigawa State Police spokesman Lawan Shi’isu Adam as saying the “horrible tragedy” happened around 11:30pm local time.
The driver lost control of the vehicle, which caused it to overturn on a road that connects Kano State to Nguru town in Yobe State. Immediately after the accident, an explosion caused a massive fire. He added that residents trying to collect fuel “suffocated” the police who tried to arrest them.
Adam said local authorities organized a mass funeral for the victims and the local community rallied to mourn.
