-
42 people confirmed dead and 52 injured in a tanker explosion in Niger State on Tuesday.
-
The Niger State Emergency Management Authority (NSEMA) blamed the poor road condition, which caused the tanker to topple and spill fuel.
-
Villagers who rushed to scoop the fuel were caught in the ensuing fire, leading to the high casualty count.
The Niger State Emergency Management Authority (NSEMA) has confirmed that 42 people died and 52 others were injured in a tanker explosion that occurred on Tuesday in the state.
Director General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba Arah, told Arise Television that the tragedy was primarily caused by the poor condition of the road, which led to the tanker overturning and spilling its fuel.
READ ALSO: Cash transfer: Many Nigerians Have Not Seen N5,000 Before – Finance Minister
Residents of nearby villages reportedly rushed to collect the fuel from the overturned tanker when a sudden ignition caused a massive fire, trapping many.
“Because of the bad road, the tanker fell. Villagers came out in their numbers to scoop the fuel, but the high temperature ignited the fire, and unfortunately, many were trapped in the inferno,” Arah said.
