Tragic Oil Tanker Explosion Leaves 94 Dead in Nigeria’s Jigawa State
In a devastating incident late Tuesday night, a fuel tanker exploded in Majia town, located in the Taura local government area of Jigawa State, northern Nigeria. The explosion claimed the lives of at least 94 people and wounded 50 others, according to Lawan Shiisu Adam, spokesperson for the Jigawa State Police Command.
The tragedy unfolded after the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a crash. Local residents, drawn by the prospect of collecting fuel from the overturned tanker, gathered at the scene. Moments later, the tanker exploded, causing a massive loss of life and injuring dozens.
“The casualties were local residents who had gathered to collect fuel from the tanker after it crashed,” Adam told Reuters via telephone on Wednesday. The injured were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals in Ringim and Hadejia towns, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
The incident site is about 530 kilometers north of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. The magnitude of the disaster has sent shockwaves through the local community and the entire Jigawa State. Authorities have announced that a mass burial for the deceased will be held later today, as families and friends mourn the tragic loss of life.
Such incidents highlight the dangers associated with the practice of siphoning fuel from crashed tankers, a common yet perilous activity in some regions. Local officials are urging residents to exercise caution and avoid approaching accident sites involving hazardous materials.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
