A fuel tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Nigeria killed at least 70 people and injured many, who had gathered to scoop fuel from the overturned tanker on Saturday.
Speaking to the FP news agency via telephone, the head of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger State revealed that the death toll already stood at 70 so far.
He explained: “A truck carrying 60,000 liters of gasoline had an accident Saturday around 10:00 am at the Dikko junction on the road linking the federal capital Abuja to the northern city of Kaduna.
“Most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition. We are at the scene to clear things up.”
The price of gasoline has increased five-fold in 18 months in Nigeria in the midst of a serious economic crisis, leading many to risk their lives to recover fuel during road accidents.
In a statement, the Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago expressed concern over recurring tanker explosions and called for stronger safety protocols.
He said an undisclosed number of people also experienced various degrees of burns.
In October, more than 170 people died in a similar incident in Jigawa State, in the north of Africa’s most populous country.
Several lives were lost while others sustained various degrees of fire burns when a Tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) exploded at Dikko junction, along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
The fire incident which occurred early Saturday morning also led to the destruction of vehicles, shops and residential buildings along the busy Kaduna-Abuja expressway.
Eye witness account said the Tanker was trying to maneuver through the busy Dikko junction to avoid the bad portion of the road when it suddenly lost balance and fell by the road side and its content started leaking.
Not considering inherent consequences, the people soon gathered to catch a glimpse of the fallen Tanker, including those that already armed themselves with different sizes and shapes of containers to scoop the content when suddenly they heard loud boom and the entire area became dark with thick smoke that reduced visibility and made it impossible for most of the victims to escape to safety.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Niger state, Mohammed Umaru Bago has expressed shock over the explosion that claimed several lives at Dikko junction, along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.
Governor Bago in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim describes the explosion as worrisome, heartbreaking and very unfortunate.
Governor Bago who however condemned the victims for not being safety conscious when they saw the Tanker fall expressed sympathy with their families and pray that Allah repose the souls of the departed and also grant quick recovery for the injured.
The Governor directed that there be visibility of security agencies at the scene and mandated all the relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to do what is necessary in order to protect further loss of lives and properties.
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