Over 100 people reportedly died with more than 50 hospitalised when a petrol tanker crashed in Majiya village of Taura local government area of Jigawa State in Northern Nigeria.
The incident occurred at around 12:30 am on Wednesday with the tanker said to have fallen, making villagers to scoop fuel before the explosion.
Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Command, DSP Lawal Shiisu Adams confirmed the incident in a statement made available to Diaspora Digital Media.
He said: “Today (Wednesday) a petrol tanker from Port Harcourt going to Nguru in Yobe state reached Majiya village of Taura local government area at around 12:30am the driver lost control at Majiya and falls down.
“The content in the tanker flooded gutters and drainages in the village. The villagers started fetching the fuel where the petrol going in to flame.
“As a result 95 people confirmed died and 50 have been hospitalised recieving treatment”.
Tanker explosions are catastrophic events that result in devastating consequences, including loss of life, property damage, and environmental harm.
These disasters can occur due to various factors, including human error, vehicle-related issues, environmental factors, cargo-related issues, mechanical failure, and external factors.
In Nigeria, tanker explosions have become all too common, with poor road conditions, driver recklessness, and vehicle maintenance issues being leading causes.
The impact of these explosions extends beyond the immediate destruction, causing widespread panic, disrupting economic activities, and placing immense strain on emergency response services.