A devastating fuel tanker explosion in Nigeria’s Niger State claimed the lives of at least 48 people on Sunday. The tanker collided head-on with another truck in the Agaie area, causing a massive explosion that also burned over 50 cattle alive. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the tragedy, with search and rescue operations still underway.
Initially, 30 bodies were recovered from the scene, but further search efforts uncovered 18 additional victims, bringing the total to 48. The victims were buried in a mass grave. Local authorities have urged residents to remain calm as investigations continue.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago expressed his condolences to the affected families and urged road users to exercise caution, especially when transporting hazardous materials. The accident highlights Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with road safety, exacerbated by the lack of an efficient rail system to transport goods across the country.
In 2020 alone, Nigeria recorded over 1,500 fuel tanker crashes, resulting in hundreds of fatalities. With the country’s reliance on road transport for fuel and cargo, such accidents are an ongoing risk, prompting calls for improved infrastructure and enforcement of road safety regulations.