A tanker truck explosion in the village of Majiya, Nigeria, killed more than 90 people (Picture credit: X)
More than 100 people were killed and 50 others injured in northwest Nigeria as they tried to retrieve fuel from an overturned fuel truck, causing the vehicle to burst into flames, utilities said Wednesday. ’emergency.
The driver of the tanker, traveling from Portharcourt to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control of the vehicle upon arrival Village de Majiya in the Taura Native Government around 12:30 a.m., causing his fall, according to local media.
Ninety-seven people were “burned to ashes” at the scene while eight others died in hospital, said Dr Haruna Mairiga, head of the Jigawa National Emergency Management Agency, told the Related Press.
“Today (Wednesday), a oil tanker from Portharcourt en route to Nguru in Yobe State, reached Majiya village in Taura Native Government Area at around 12:30 a.m. when the driver lost control and overturned,” said DSP Lawal Shiisu Adams , Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Command (PPRO). ), cited by the Nigerian Tribune.
“The contents of the tanker spilled, flooding the gutters and sewers of the village. Seeing this, the villagers started fetching the fuel, which then ignited, causing the fire,” Adams added.
Tanker accidents occur frequently in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country. These incidents are often due to the absence of strict traffic rules and the absence of efficient options for transporting goods such as railways.
In a recent accident, the driver had traveled 110 kilometers from Kano State, according to police.
It is also common for people to collect fuel with cups and buckets to take home after such accidents. The practice has become more common amid Nigeria’s soaring fuel prices, which have tripled since early last year when Nigeria ended costly gas subsidies.
Residents who heard about the accident rushed to the scene and collected fuel, “starting a huge blaze,” police spokesman Lawan Adam said.
Videos that appeared to be from the scene showed a massive fire spreading across the area, with what appeared to be bodies strewn at the scene.
Residents of Majiya town were in mourning on Wednesday morning as residents held a mass funeral for the victims. Most of the bodies were unrecognizable, emergency services said.
“If they had known (of the hazard), they would not have gone to get (the fuel),” said Mairiga, head of the emergency services.
According to him, emergency services only arrived on the scene a few hours after the accident. “But the incident had already happened…those affected (in the fire) were reduced to ashes,” Mr Mairiga said.
In one of the videos, the person who recorded the clip appeared to be trying to mobilize others to help the victims. “It burns the body!” » he shouted. “He will die (…) when the vehicle explodes, there will be a problem. »
Sani Umar, a resident, told local television stations that the fire “spread so quickly that many could not escape.”
“People were running in every direction, screaming for help,” Umar said.
“This is a heartbreaking second for all of us,” said state police commissioner Ahmadu Abdullahi.
(With inputs from AP)
