Nigeria; 70 killed as fuel truck blasts
A petrol tanker truck exploded after overturning in central Nigeria on Saturday, killing 70 people who had gathered to collect the spilled fuel, according to the national road safety authority.
Kumar Tsukwam, head of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger State, confirmed the death toll, stating, “The death toll stands at 70 so far.”
He explained that the truck, carrying 60,000 liters of gasoline, was involved in the accident around 10:00 am (0900 GMT) at the Dikko junction, located on the road connecting the federal capital Abuja to the northern city of Kaduna.
Tsukwam added that “Most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition,” and the authorities were working to clear the scene.
Amid a severe economic crisis, gasoline prices have risen fivefold in 18 months in Nigeria, prompting many to risk their lives in an attempt to collect fuel following accidents.
Niger State Governor Umaru Bago expressed his deep concern, calling the explosion “worrisome, heartbreaking, and unfortunate,” while noting that an undisclosed number of people suffered burns of varying degrees.
In October, over 170 people perished in a similar incident in Jigawa State, highlighting the ongoing dangers associated with fuel-related accidents in Africa’s most populous country.
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