The number of fatalities from a fuel tanker explosion in northern Nigeria has increased to at least 153, with an additional 100 individuals sustaining injuries, according to police reports to CNN on Thursday.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening in Majiya, a village in Jigawa state, after the tanker crashed and locals tried to collect the leaking fuel.
“The driver lost control, leading to the tanker overturning and spilling fuel into a drainage,” explained Jigawa police spokesperson Shiisu Lawan Adam.
“The explosion occurred while residents were gathering the spilled fuel.” A communal burial for some of the victims took place on Wednesday afternoon, Adam added.
Umar Majia, a community member whose 12-year-old nephew died in the explosion, expressed the community’s grief, noting that such an incident had never occurred there before and it was the most severe tragedy they had faced.
Vice President Kashim Shettima of Nigeria expressed his condolences, stating, “My heart goes out to those who have lost family members in this horrific event.
This tragic event has profoundly impacted us all. The Federal Government is committed to supporting the injured and the families of those affected.”
Previous fires have led to multiple casualties. In 2020, more than 500 people lost their lives in more than 1,500 fuel tanker accidents recorded that year, according to Nigeria’s road safety agency.
Earlier this month, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced that over 250 migrants are missing following two separate maritime disasters off the coasts of Djibouti and Nigeria.
Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities search for survivors amid these tragic events.
In Djibouti, more than 100 migrants are feared lost after smugglers forced them to jump into the sea off the coast.
