At least 94 people have tragically lost their lives, with around 50 others injured, following a fuel tanker explosion in Jigawa State, northwestern Nigeria, as confirmed by local police.
The incident occurred overnight on an expressway in Majia town after the tanker overturned while trying to avoid a collision with another truck. Following the crash, local residents gathered at the scene to collect fuel from the overturned vehicle, which led to a devastating explosion, causing a massive fire that spread quickly.
Police spokesperson Lawan Shiisu Adam stated, “We have confirmed 94 fatalities, and the death toll could rise.” He added that the victims were caught in the inferno as they were scooping fuel from the tanker when it ignited.
Videos from the scene showed a large fire engulfing the area, with bodies scattered across the site. The blaze continued into the early hours of Wednesday. The injured were rushed to hospitals in the nearby towns of Ringim and Hadejia for treatment.
