Video: Over 100 Dead in Fuel Explosion After Scavenging from Overturned Tanker in Nigeria

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More than 100 people have tragically lost their lives in northern Nigeria after a petrol tanker overturned and exploded while residents attempted to scavenge fuel. The disaster occurred late Tuesday night in the town of Majia, in the Taura area of Jigawa state. According to police spokesman Lawan Adam, the driver lost control of the tanker on a highway, leading to its crash. As word spread, locals rushed to the scene, using buckets and cups to collect the spilled fuel.

FLASH: 94 killed in fuel tanker explosion in Jigawa state.

According to reports, individuals gathered around a tanker that had been involved in an accident in Majia Town to collect petrol. Tragically, the tanker exploded, resulting in at least 94 deaths and 50 injuries. pic.twitter.com/ZKhjbM0vYl

— Nigeria Today (@NigeriasToday) October 16, 2024

 

"The residents were scooping up fuel from the overturned tanker when the explosion occurred, sparking a massive inferno," said Adam. In the chaos that followed, many people were caught in the flames.

 

Dr. Haruna Mairiga, head of Jigawa state's emergency management agency, confirmed that 97 people were "burned to ashes" at the scene, while eight others died in the hospital from their injuries. Around 50 more were injured in the blast, which left a harrowing scene of devastation. "If they knew [about the danger], they wouldn't have gone to fetch [the fuel]," Dr. Mairiga said, highlighting the desperation that drives people to take such risks. He also pointed out that it took emergency services several hours to reach the site of the explosion.

 

A video circulating online showed the inferno and what appeared to be the burning remains of those who had been caught in the blast, a stark reminder of the danger of such incidents.

 

The practice of scavenging fuel from overturned tankers has become increasingly common in Nigeria due to a sharp rise in fuel prices. As Africa’s most populous country faces economic challenges, many people are willing to risk their lives to collect free fuel from such accidents. Unfortunately, this desperation often leads to deadly consequences, as was tragically seen in the Majia explosion.

 

Based on a report from Sky News 2024-10-17