Fuel Tanker Explosion in Nigeria Claims 48 Lives, Dozens of Cattle Burned

Fuel Tanker Explosion in Nigeria Claims 48 Lives, Dozens of Cattle Burned

Actualité

A tragic accident in Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of at least 48 people following a collision between a fuel tanker and another truck in Niger state’s Agaie area, north-central Nigeria. The explosion also led to the burning of at least 50 cattle, according to Abdullahi Baba-Arab, the director-general of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday, triggered search-and-rescue operations at the scene. Baba-Arab initially reported finding 30 bodies, but a later statement revealed an additional 18 victims were discovered, all burned in the fiery collision. The deceased were given a mass burial. The exact number of injured individuals remains unknown.

Niger State governor, Mohammed Bago, urged residents to stay calm and advised road users to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent further tragedies.

Fatal truck accidents are common on Nigeria’s major roads, where the absence of a reliable railway system forces heavy reliance on road transport. Reckless driving, poor road conditions, and poorly maintained vehicles are among the leading causes, according to experts. In 2020 alone, Nigeria recorded 1,531 fuel tanker crashes, which caused 535 deaths and left 1,142 people injured.

The accident also comes amid ongoing fuel shortages in Nigeria, worsened by a recent 39% price hike by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. This increase, the second major rise in just over a year, has caused long queues at petrol stations across the country’s cities and towns.