In a tragic incident, at least 39 people have perished following an oil tanker explosion in Niger state, Nigeria. The tanker skidded off the road and overturned, spilling fuel, which ultimately led to the explosion as villagers attempted to collect the leaked fuel.
According to Abdullahi Baba Ara, head of the Niger State Emergency Service, over 60 individuals have sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at local hospitals.
The explosion set off a massive fire that enveloped the surrounding area, tragically burning many victims beyond recognition. Eyewitness accounts detail how the incident unfolded along the Bida-Agaie road, near the Essan and Badeggi communities.
Despite ongoing public awareness campaigns about the dangers of collecting spilled fuel, such incidents are all too common in Nigeria. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed his condolences and disappointment at the continued risky behavior surrounding fallen tankers.
This catastrophe is reminiscent of earlier fuel tanker explosions, including one last October that claimed 153 lives in Jigawa state. Poor road conditions and lack of safety regulations continue to be significant contributors to these tragic events in Nigeria.
