Tragic Tanker Explosion Claims 86 Lives in Nigeria

A devastating explosion involving a fuel tanker in Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of at least 86 people. The incident occurred when a group of individuals gathered to collect leaking petrol from the tanker, which had veered off the road and caught fire. According to Ibrahim Audu Husseini from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, the initial death toll was estimated at 70 but was later revised to reflect the grim reality.

The explosion took place on a Saturday at an intersection between Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, and the northern city of Kaduna. The tanker, carrying 60,000 liters of petrol, erupted into flames, causing nearby shops and homes to be engulfed. An estimated 52 individuals sustained severe burns as a result of this catastrophic event.

The bodies of the deceased were buried the following night, with reports indicating that local residents dug a mass grave by hand due to the unavailability of machinery. The tragedy highlights ongoing safety concerns in Nigeria, where such fatal accidents involving fuel tankers are not uncommon.

Amid worsening economic conditions in the country—exacerbated by sharply rising fuel prices and persistent shortages—President Bola Tinubu has announced a national campaign aimed at educating the public about the dangers associated with harvesting fuel from overturned tankers. This incident follows another tragic event in October, where over 140 lives were lost in a similar scenario in Jigawa State.