A petrol tanker explosion has claimed no fewer than 50 lives on Saturday, along Dikko-Maje road, opposite Badegi fueling station in Suleja local government area in Niger State.
Federal Road Safety Commander (FRSC) in Niger State, Mr Kumar Tsukwam, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.
According to him, a loaded petrol tanker fell at the scene of the incident with people scooping the spilling fuel, unaware of the impending danger.00 / 1:00
Tsukwam said those who went to scoop fuel were engulfed by the flames just as those who went to rescue them were also affected.
He said more than 50 people lost their lives in the tragic incident.
He assured that personnel of the corps and other agencies were on ground for the rescue mission.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah said the explosion occurred at about 9 am on Saturday.
According to him, the incident happened when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed, and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another tanker. In the process, the PMS came into contact with a generator used used in the transfer, which triggered an explosion that claimed over 50 lives.
He added that many other persons were injured and properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
Baba-Arah said NSEMA, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Suleja LGA Emergency Committee, and volunteers, are currently carrying out search, rescue, and recovery operations.
He said the injured persons have been moved to the hospital for treatment, while efforts are being made to recover the corpses of the deceased.
NAN reports that more details are expected as the response operation is still ongoing.
Residents have been urged to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders as they work to mitigate the effects of the disaster. (NAN
