39 dead, 60 injured in Niger state tanker explosion
At least 39 people have died and more than 60 others sustained injuries following a petrol tanker explosion in Niger State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Essa community along the Agaie–Bida road in Katcha Local Government Area after the articulated tanker reportedly tumbled. Eyewitnesses said residents had gathered to scoop fuel from the vehicle before the explosion.
In a statement, NEMA said its Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, immediately directed the Minna Operations Office to deploy rescue teams to support the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and other responders.
“The explosion, which occurred around 3:45 p.m. along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road, claimed 39 lives and left over 60 persons with severe burns, including men, women, and children,” the agency said.
Umar extended condolences to the families of the victims and urged the public to avoid collecting fuel from accident scenes, emphasizing that such actions have repeatedly resulted in tragic, preventable deaths. She also advised motorists and residents to stay clear of accident sites and report incidents promptly to emergency agencies.
Governor Umar Bago described the incident as “disheartening,” lamenting that residents continued to approach fallen tankers despite repeated warnings about the dangers of scooping fuel.
