At least 94 people were killed in northern Nigeria when a crashed tanker exploded near locals who had gathered to retrieve fuel, police told MukTv
The toll is expected to rise from the blast, which happened late evening around 11pm on Tuesday in Majiya village, Jigawa state.
“The driver lost control and the tanker somersaulted and spilled fuel into a drainage ditch,” Jigawa police spokesperson Shiisu Lawan Adam said.
“As a result, residents rushed to scoop the fuel when the explosion happened.”
Adam said at least 50 people were seriously injured, adding that the death toll was provisional.
DSP Law and Shiisu Adam, Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Dutse.
The injured were rushed to Ringing General Hospital for medical attention.
Jigawa State’s Commissioner of Police, A.T Abdullahi, extended condolences to the people of Majia town and Jigawa State, urging citizens to exercise caution and avoid scenes of petrol tanker accidents, which often result in fatal fires.
Morgan Mbila
