Many people are feared dead and others injured following a petrol tanker explosion around Dikko junction in Gurara local government area of Niger State.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Many people are feared dead and others injured following a petrol tanker explosion around Dikko junction in Gurara local government area of Niger State.
It was learnt that the petrol tanker spilled its contents, causing people to rush to scoop the fuel at the scene.
A pregnant woman and another woman with a one-week-old baby were among those reportedly caught in the explosion as residents scooped fuel.
Unconfirmed sources put the death casualty figure at over 30.
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Officials of the Niger State Fire Service, it was learnt, are battling to put out the fire.
Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed shock over the tanker explosion, describing it as worrisome, heartbreaking and unfortunate.
He sympathised with the families of the victims while cautioning residents to always be responsible and give priority to their safety.
The Governor directed all the relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to do what is necessary in addressing the emergency.
In September last year, 48 persons were killed in petrol tanker explosion in Agaie Local Government Area of the State.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arab in confirming the development, added 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.
