A devastating tanker explosion in Nigeria has claimed the lives of over 140 people, including children, as residents desperately attempted to collect fuel spilling from the overturned vehicle. The incident, which occurred at midnight in Jigawa state’s Majiya town, has left the community in mourning and exposed the dangerous consequences of fuel scavenging in a country grappling with a severe fuel crisis.
According to police spokesperson Lawan Adam, the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle while traveling on a highway, leading to the accident. Residents, drawn to the scene by the prospect of free fuel, rushed to collect the leaking fuel, igniting a massive inferno that engulfed the area. The fire spread rapidly, leaving many trapped and unable to escape.
The tragic incident has highlighted the precarious situation in Nigeria, where rising fuel prices have driven many to desperate measures. The practice of fuel scavenging, though dangerous, has become increasingly common as the government has lifted costly fuel subsidies, resulting in a tripling of fuel prices since the start of last year.
Emergency services, arriving several hours after the accident, found a scene of utter devastation. The bodies of most victims were unrecognizable, leading to a mass burial for the deceased. The Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency initially reported a death toll of 105, but the number has since tragically risen to over 140.
The driver of the tanker had traveled from neighboring Kano state, approximately 110 kilometers (68 miles) before the fatal accident occurred.
This latest tragedy adds to a grim list of similar accidents in Nigeria, where lax traffic regulations and a lack of an efficient rail network have contributed to a high number of deadly tanker accidents.
The incident has sparked calls for greater safety measures and a focus on addressing the root causes of the fuel crisis in Nigeria. The government is facing pressure to implement stricter regulations and find sustainable solutions to prevent similar tragedies in the future.