Many of the victims were individuals trying to collect fuel from the overturned tanker. The Express Tribune


October 17, 2024 Tags:

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.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Pakistan halts Indian visas After Deadly Kashmir Attack On Tourists

Pakistan has taken strong steps against India following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. The....

China Opens Moon Rocks To Global Scientists, Including the US

China has agreed to let scientists from six countries, including the United States, study Moon rocks it collected during its....

Israel Admits Killing UN Worker In Gaza After Initial Denial

Israel's military has admitted that its troops killed a United Nations (UN) worker in the Gaza Strip last month, after....

Trump Criticizes Putin Over Deadly Russian Strikes On Kyiv

US President Donald Trump has expressed his anger over the deadly Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine, stating that he....

Thousands Gather To Bid Farewell To Pope Francis In Vatican

Pope Francis’ body was laid in state at St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, allowing thousands of Catholic pilgrims to pay....

India Calls In Pakistan Envoy Over Kashmir Attack That Killed 26

India took strong diplomatic steps against Pakistan after a deadly attack in Kashmir. The government summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in....

India Halts Indus Treaty, Closes Attari Border Over Militant Attack

India has taken strong action against Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. This attack killed....

6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Near Istanbul, Causes Panic

A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Istanbul on Wednesday, causing panic in the Turkish city. The quake....

Gaza Health Ministry Defends Accuracy Of Death Toll Data

At al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Alam Hirzallah faces a heartbreaking task: registering the deaths of his cousin’s wife and....

World’s Longest Tunnel Connects Denmark and Germany Soon

A massive underwater tunnel is being built under the Baltic Sea. It will connect Denmark and Germany and is set....

Global Leaders, Including Trump And Zelensky, To Attend Pope's Funeral

Pope Francis will be buried this Saturday at St Peter’s Square in Rome. The Vatican confirmed this on Tuesday. Thousands....

Deadly Ambush in Kashmir: 26 Tourists Killed in Shocking Militant Attack

Gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in the beautiful Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. At....