A total of 80 bodies have been recovered and given mass burial following a tragic tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
By Emma Ogbuehi
A total of 86 bodies have been recovered and buried following a tragic tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed this on Sunday.
He revealed that 80 victims were buried in a mass grave at the Dikko Primary Health Care premises, adding that five were claimed by relatives for private burial, and one victim died at the healthcare center.
READ ALSO:
BREAKING: Many feared dead as petrol tanker explodes in Niger
The explosion occurred when a tanker transporting fuel from Kaduna to Gwagwalada overturned at the junction, spilling its contents.
Despite warnings to stay away, residents flocked to the scene to scoop fuel.
The tanker exploded, resulting in widespread casualties, injuries, and the destruction of properties worth millions of naira.
The mass burial, organized by NSEMA in collaboration with Gurara local government officials and volunteers, lasted from 5 p.m. to midnight.
According to Arah, 55 individuals sustained injuries in the incident and are currently receiving medical treatment.
In September last year, 48 persons were killed in petrol tanker explosion in Agaie Local Government Area of the State.
Arah in confirming the development, stressed that the 48 bodies involved were burnt beyond recognition. The victims were given mass burial.
He also disclosed that over 50 cattle were also burnt alive and two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van were caught in the inferno.
“The incident occurred when a petrol tanker loaded with PMS collided with a trailer truck loaded with travellers and cattle from Wudil in Kano State heading to Lagos, two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van were also caught in the incident”, a release from NSEMA, stated.
