At least 90 people have been confirmed dead and 50 others seriously injured following a devastating fuel tanker explosion in northwestern Nigeria. The tragic incident occurred late Tuesday night along the Kano-Hadejia expressway in Taura, a local government area in Jigawa State.
According to Lawan Adamu, spokesperson for the Jigawa State police, the fuel-laden truck was traveling through the busy highway when it exploded, igniting a massive fire that spread quickly. The inferno continued for several hours, with firefighters battling the flames until the early hours of Wednesday morning. Despite their efforts, the fire was not fully contained until 3:15 a.m. local time (0215 GMT).
The explosion has left a scene of devastation, with many lives lost and significant property damage in its wake. Eyewitnesses described the chaos that followed as people fled the scene, many of them sustaining severe burns or other injuries as they tried to escape the blaze. “It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” said one witness. “The fire was so intense, and the smoke could be seen from miles away.”
Emergency responders, including local police, firefighters, and medical personnel, rushed to the scene, working tirelessly to extinguish the fire and attend to the injured. Survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, with many in critical condition. Health officials in Jigawa have expressed concern about the ability of local hospitals to handle the sudden influx of burn victims, some of whom require specialized care not readily available in the region.
This explosion is one of the deadliest fuel tanker accidents in recent Nigerian history and has sparked renewed concerns about the safety of fuel transportation across the country. Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest oil producers, frequently experiences accidents involving fuel tankers due to a combination of poorly maintained vehicles, unsafe roads, and inadequate enforcement of transportation regulations. These incidents often lead to significant loss of life and property, particularly in densely populated areas where such accidents can quickly escalate into large-scale disasters.
Local authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the explosion, with early reports suggesting that the tanker may have collided with another vehicle before the explosion occurred. However, further details are still emerging as officials piece together what led to the deadly blast.
The Jigawa State government has announced plans to provide support to the families of the victims and has called for a comprehensive review of safety protocols surrounding the transportation of hazardous materials, including fuel. “This tragedy highlights the urgent need for stricter oversight and better enforcement of safety standards in the transportation sector,” said a government spokesperson. “We must take immediate action to prevent another disaster of this magnitude.”
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