Tragic tanker explosion claims lives in Niger state

On September 9, 2024, a devastating explosion of a petrol tanker occurred in Niger State, killing 48 people. Mass burials were held in Agaie Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, was a head-on collision between a petrol tanker and a truck carrying travellers and livestock from Wudil in Kano State en route to Lagos.

Giving details of the disaster, the Director General of the Niger State Disaster Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arab, said the victims were burnt beyond recognition, necessitating mass burial. After extensive search and rescue operations, the agency recovered another 18 bodies, bringing the total death toll to 48. Baba-Arab noted, “Due to the severity of their injuries, all the dead were subjected to mass burial.”

The tragic incident occurred at around 00:30 a.m. along the Lapai-Agaie road, about two kilometers from Dendo Township. In addition to the fatalities, the explosion also killed more than 50 cattle and damaged several vehicles, including a crane truck and a pickup truck, which were engulfed in flames.

The NSEMA released a statement detailing the sequence of events that led to the disaster, highlighting that the petrol tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) collided with the truck carrying both passengers and livestock. The agency's Rapid Response Team, in collaboration with local disaster management authorities, continues to work at the scene, searching for additional victims and securing the area.

This devastating incident highlights the urgent need for improved road safety measures, especially in regions where heavy vehicles frequently travel on narrow roads. As the public mourns the loss of life, authorities are likely to review safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.

As investigations continue, families of the victims are grappling with unimaginable loss while local government and emergency services focus on reconstruction efforts and supporting victims of this heartbreaking event.

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