A devastating incident occurred in Majiya, a region in the northwestern part of Nigeria, when a petrol tanker exploded, resulting in the tragic death of at least 147 individuals. The National Emergency Management Agency of Nigeria has verified the occurrence.
The incident took place late on Tuesday night when the tanker’s driver lost control of the vehicle, as reported by Shi’isu Adam, a representative for the Jigawa regional police. The aftermath was a terrifying spectacle of dense smoke and intense flames, with rescue operations in progress to aid the injured in the ensuing pandemonium.
Umar Namadi, the Governor of Jigawa state, visited the site on Wednesday to evaluate the damage and was informed about the rising death toll. Sani Umar, a local resident who narrowly avoided the catastrophe, described the horrifying scene of people running in fear as the fire spread quickly, preventing many from reaching a safe distance.
The tanker lost control around 11:30 p.m., causing widespread panic as fuel began to leak and eventually ignited, leading to the explosion. Despite prior warnings from the police to avoid accident sites involving fuel tankers, a crowd had assembled to gather the leaking fuel, which sadly resulted in a higher number of casualties.
Adam voiced his concern over the public’s disregard for safety warnings, attributing the high number of fatalities to this behavior. The injured were promptly transported to local hospitals for medical treatment, as reported by the Emergency Management Agency.
The area has been sealed off as authorities conduct a thorough investigation into the accident. Jigawa state’s police commissioner, AT Abdullahi, expressed his profound condolences to the families grieving their lost loved ones.
“This is a heartbreaking moment for us all,” Abdullahi stated, expressing his sympathy for those affected by the tragedy. The community is planning a mass burial on Wednesday to mourn the tragic loss.