48 Dead in Niger State Petrol Tanker Explosion, Mass Burial Held
On Sunday, September 8, not less than 48 people lost their lives in a devastating petrol tanker explosion in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State. The explosion occurred after a petrol tanker collided head-on with a truck carrying travelers and cattle from Wudil, Kano State.
According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the victims were burnt beyond recognition, necessitating a mass burial. Abdullahi Baba-Arab, the Director-General of NSEMA, confirmed the details, stating that 18 additional bodies were discovered during a subsequent search operation, bringing the death toll to 48.
“The intensity of the fire made identification impossible, so we had to arrange a mass burial,” Baba-Arab explained.
The accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on the Lapai-Agaie road, approximately 2 kilometers from Dendo community. The explosion also claimed over 50 cattle and engulfed two other vehicles—a crane truck and a pickup van.
NSEMA’s Rapid Response Team continues its efforts, but Baba-Arab noted that the situation was dire. “It’s a difficult day for everyone here,” he said, urging road users to exercise caution.
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