At least 70 people were killed in northern Nigeria after a gasoline tanker truck overturned and exploded, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps. Kumar Tsukwam, the sector commander for Niger state, confirmed the death toll and stated that the incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. local time at a junction connecting Abuja and Kaduna. The tanker was carrying 60,000 liters of gasoline, and efforts to deter local residents from collecting the spilled fuel were unsuccessful.
The FRSC reported that a large crowd gathered to scoop fuel despite attempts to stop them. Kumar Tsukwam indicated that this provided a tragic prelude to the disaster, as the tanker subsequently burst into flames, tragically engulfing another tanker in the process. Emergency responders were able to extinguish the blaze, but the human cost was devastating with over 60 corpses identified as burnt beyond recognition.
Niger's state governor Umaru Bago noted that many individuals suffered various degrees of burns from the explosion. This stark incident underlines the grave risks associated with fuel spills and the desperate behavior triggered by Nigeria's ongoing economic challenges. The recent abolition of fuel subsidies has intensified the cost of living crisis, provoking widespread protests and worsening inflation, which has reached over 30%.
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