At least 70 people were killed in northern Nigeria on Saturday when a tanker truck overturned and leaked fuel, which then exploded. Most of the victims were poor residents who rushed to collect the spilled gasoline.
The horrific accident in Niger State followed a similar explosion in Jigawa State last October, which killed 147 people. It was one of the worst tragedies of its kind in Africa’s most populous country.
“Despite all efforts to stop them, a large crowd had gathered to collect petrol,” Kumar Tsukomen, sector commander of the Niger state traffic controller, told Reuters.
Victim burned beyond recognition
“Suddenly the tanker burst into flames, engulfing another tanker. So far, 70 bodies have been recovered,” Tsukomen said. Most victims were burned beyond recognition. The fire brigade managed to extinguish the fire.
Such accidents are not uncommon in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, and have claimed hundreds of lives in a country grappling with the worst cost of living crisis in a generation.
Source: Krone
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