WATCH THE VIDEO HERE The explosion occurred when a petrol tanker lost control and spilled its contents. The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, provided the updated casualty toll in a statement on Monday, describing the incident as a devastating loss. According to Baba-Arah, over 20 shops were destroyed during the incident. He said the explosion occurred on Saturday when a tanker conveying petrol crashed and another tanker was brought to transfer the contents. Naijaonpoint learnt that a crowd had gathered to scoop fuel before the tanker exploded, causing widespread casualties At least 80 people, whose bodies were recovered after the incident, were buried in a mass grave at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre by officials of the NSEMA and Gurara LGA. Other recovered bodies were retrieved by family members for burial. President Bola Tinubu had ordered the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to commence comprehensive campaign on the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers. The latest incident highlights the continued trend of petrol tanker explosion-related deaths across the country.
At least 98 people have been confirmed dead, and 69 others injured following a petrol tanker explosion on Saturday in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
[Just In] Niger Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Rises To 98
