Many of the victims were individuals trying to collect fuel from the overturned tanker. The Express Tribune
A tragic fuel tanker explosion in northern Nigeria has left 147 people dead and injured 70 others, according to emergency services and police reports. The incident occurred late Tuesday evening in Majiya, a village located in Jigawa state. It all started when the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash and spill fuel into a nearby drainage ditch. As local residents rushed to collect the spilled fuel, a massive explosion erupted.
Jigawa police spokesperson Shiisu Lawan Adam explained that the chaos unfolded quickly. “The driver lost control, and the tanker somersaulted and spilled fuel into a drainage ditch,” he said. “As a result, residents rushed to scoop the fuel when the explosion happened.” The situation turned catastrophic in a matter of moments, as people gathered to collect the fuel, unaware of the impending disaster.
In response to the tragedy, a mass burial was conducted on Wednesday afternoon to honour the victims. The number of fatalities has continued to rise since the explosion, with Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency confirming the toll of 147 by Wednesday evening.
Nigeria's Vice President, Kashim Shettima, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating, “My heart aches for those who have had their families torn apart by this disaster. This devastating incident has shaken us all to our core.” He also assured the public that the Federal Government stands with the people of Jigawa and is mobilizing all necessary resources to aid the injured and support the affected families.
Thick smoke billows from a massive fire following the crash and explosion of a fuel tanker in Majia, Jigawa State, Nigeria, on October 16, 2024. Reuters
In light of the explosion, Shettima announced immediate federal government intervention and called for a comprehensive review of the safety protocols surrounding fuel transportation. The recent blast follows another tragic incident just a month prior, where at least 48 lives were lost in a similar accident in the north-central Niger state. Such explosions are not uncommon in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, where fuel is frequently transported by road.
Fuel tanker explosions have been a persistent issue in Nigeria, with past incidents resulting in significant casualties. In 2020 alone, over 500 people lost their lives due to more than 1,500 recorded fuel tanker accidents, as reported by Nigeria’s road safety agency. Many residents, facing skyrocketing living costs and a lack of affordable gasoline, often take the dangerous risk of collecting fuel from overturned tankers or damaged pipelines.
The situation is exacerbated by the recent spike in gas prices, which have soared to more than six times their normal rates since the government removed fuel subsidies last year. Despite Nigeria being one of Africa's largest oil producers, poverty remains a widespread issue, with many struggling to afford basic necessities.
This tragic event has brought attention to the urgent need for improved safety measures in fuel transportation and highlighted the dire economic circumstances that push people to take such dangerous risks. The government’s promise of support for the victims' families and a review of safety protocols may serve as a crucial step in preventing future tragedies.
