A devastating petrol tanker explosion in Majiya Town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, has claimed the lives of at least 90 people.
The tragic incident occurred late on Tuesday night, October 10th, when a tanker transporting petrol lost control and exploded, causing widespread destruction.
The blast has left the community in shock, mourning the loss of lives and dealing with the aftermath of one of the worst accidents in the region.
According to Mr. Shi’isu Adam, the Police Spokesperson in Jigawa, the tanker driver was en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State when the accident happened near Khadija University in Majiya Town.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, Mr. Adam explained that the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle at around 11:30 p.m., resulting in a fatal explosion that engulfed many people at the scene.
Mr. Adam noted that despite repeated warnings from the police for people to avoid accident sites involving fuel tankers, many still rushed to the scene of the accident.
Unfortunately, the large crowd that gathered contributed to the high number of casualties. “People gathered around the accident scene, that is the reason for the mass casualty,” he explained.
In addition to the 90 lives lost, another 50 people sustained varying degrees of injuries from the explosion. The injured were quickly rushed to Ringim General Hospital, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
The extent of their injuries is yet to be fully determined, but local health officials are working to provide the necessary care to those affected.
Authorities are already arranging for a mass burial for the victims, which was scheduled to take place at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The tragedy has shaken the community, and local leaders, as well as authorities, have called for more caution in handling accidents involving fuel tankers.
