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A tragic fuel tanker explosion in northern Nigeria has claimed the lives of at least 104 people who had gathered to collect leaking petrol from the scene of the crash. The accident occurred late Tuesday night in the town of Majia, Jigawa state, after the tanker overturned. Despite warnings from police to stay away, a crowd assembled, leading to the fire that engulfed the vehicle.
Police spokesman Lawal Shiisu Adam said that officers had cordoned off the area and tried to keep people from approaching the tanker. However, they were unable to contain the growing crowd. “We did our best to stop people, but despite our efforts, the crowd overwhelmed us. As people were scooping fuel, the fire erupted,” Adam said.
The tanker, en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe state, lost control around 23:30 local time (22:30 GMT). The driver, who was unharmed, has been taken into custody as police continue their investigation into the crash.
A distressing video circulating on social media shows the aftermath of the explosion. Emergency services, including fire crews, rushed to the scene to provide assistance. Rescue workers have since recovered more bodies, raising the death toll from 94 to 104. Many of the victims were burned beyond recognition, and the bodies were covered with tree branches to protect their dignity from onlookers. A mass burial is planned for later on Wednesday.
Additionally, 100 people were injured in the explosion, many of them critically. They have been taken to a hospital in the nearby town of Ringim.
Fuel tanker explosions are tragically common in Nigeria, often attributed to poor road conditions and inadequately maintained vehicles. As authorities worked to clear the scene in Jigawa, another fuel tanker accident occurred in the town of Ibafo, Ogun state, further underscoring the ongoing risks of such incidents.
A fuel tanker overturned on Wednesday morning in front of a commercial bank along a busy main road, spilling petrol before igniting into flames. The resulting fire caused extensive damage to nearby vehicles, including other lorries, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. The incident is estimated to have caused thousands of dollars in damage.
This follows a tragic incident in September, when 59 people lost their lives in Niger state after a fuel tanker collided with a lorry carrying passengers and cattle. Fuel tanker accidents remain a recurring and dangerous issue in Nigeria.
