The incident occurred when a tanker truck collided with another vehicle / Photo: Courtesy
Nigerian authorities have raised the death toll from 30 to 48 after a gasoline tanker exploded early Sunday morning in an accident on a major highway in Niger state.
“NSEMA (Niger State Emergency Management Agency) has received a report of a fatal tanker explosion that occurred on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at about midnight (22:00 GMT) along Lapai-Agale Local Government Area,” the agency said in a statement.
The incident occurred when “a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or Mogas, a gasoline used in internal combustion vehicles and generators) collided with a tractor-trailer carrying passengers and livestock from Wudil, Kano State (north), heading to Lagos (south), an accident which also involved two other vehicles: a crane truck and a pickup truck.”
“More than 30 people have already been confirmed dead and more than 50 cattle have been burnt alive,” NSEMA director general Abdullahi Baba Arab initially said.
However, Arab later said in a statement that after further search and rescue operations, the agency “discovered 18 more bodies which were also burned alive and all the deceased were buried en masse.”
Such tragedies have occurred in the past in Nigeria, such as on April 27, 2023, when at least ten people died in Plateau State (center) when a tanker truck carrying gasoline exploded.
The tanker “lost control, crashed and burst into flames” on a highway in Jos city, police said at the time.
Lagos / EFE
#Death #toll #rises #Nigerian #petrol #truck #explosion
2024-09-11 02:27:42
What were the circumstances leading to the deadly fuel tanker explosion in Nigeria that resulted in a rising death toll?
Table of Contents
Deadly Fuel Tanker Explosion in Nigeria: Death Toll Rises to 59
A devastating fuel tanker explosion in Niger state, Nigeria, has claimed at least 59 lives, according to the latest reports. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, September 8, 2024, when a fuel tanker collided with another truck, causing a massive explosion that engulfed multiple vehicles and left a trail of destruction [[3]].
Initial Reports and Death Toll
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) initially reported that at least 30 people had died in the accident, with more than 50 cattle burnt alive [1]. However, as rescue efforts continued, the death toll rose to 48, with many more injured [2].
Details of the Incident
According to NSEMA, the accident occurred at around midnight on Sunday, September 8, 2024, along the Lapai-Agale Local Government Area in Niger state. A tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), a type of gasoline, collided with a tractor-trailer carrying passengers and livestock from Wudil, Kano State, to Lagos [1]. The accident also involved two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup truck.
Aftermath and Investigation
The explosion and subsequent fire destroyed multiple vehicles, resulting in a significant loss of life and property. Emergency responders and rescue teams worked tirelessly to put out the fire and evacuate the injured to nearby hospitals. An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, but officials have not yet released any further details.
Rising Death Toll
In a latest update, the death toll from the petrol tanker explosion has risen to 59, according to reports from local authorities [3]. The increase in fatalities is a grim reminder of the devastating impact of this tragic incident on the families and communities affected.
Conclusion
The fuel tanker explosion in Niger state, Nigeria, is a tragic reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for increased vigilance on our roads. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the people of Niger state during this difficult time. We can only hope that lessons will be learned from this incident to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
References
What safety measures are being implemented to prevent future fuel tanker explosions in Nigeria following the recent incident that resulted in 59 deaths?
Deadly Fuel Tanker Explosion in Nigeria: Death Toll Rises to 59
A devastating fuel tanker explosion in Niger state, Nigeria, has claimed at least 59 lives, according to the latest reports. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, September 8, 2024, when a fuel tanker collided with another truck, causing a massive explosion that engulfed multiple vehicles and left a trail of destruction [[3]].
Initial Reports and Death Toll
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) initially reported that at least 30 people had died in the accident, with more than 50 cattle burnt alive[[[1]]. However, as rescue efforts continued, the death toll rose to 48, with many more injured[[[2]].
Details of the Incident
According to NSEMA, the accident occurred at around midnight on Sunday, September 8, 2024, along the Lapai-Agale Local Government Area in Niger state. A tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), a type of gasoline, collided with a tractor-trailer carrying passengers and livestock from Wudil, Kano State, to Lagos[[[1]]. The accident also involved two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup truck.
Aftermath and Investigation
The explosion and subsequent fire destroyed multiple vehicles, resulting in a significant loss of life and property. Emergency responders and rescue teams worked tirelessly to put out the fire and evacuate the injured to nearby hospitals. An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, but officials have not yet released any further details.
Rising Death Toll
In a latest update, the death toll from the petrol tanker explosion has risen to 59, according to reports from local authorities[[[[