A petrol tanker has reportedly exploded in Majiya village of Taura local government area of Jigawa State, killing over 90 persons with more than 50 hospitalised.
The incident occurred at around 12:30 am on Wednesday with the tanker said to have fallen, making villagers to scoop fuel before the explosion.
Jigawa Police spokesman, DSP Lawal Shiisu Adams, confirmed the incident in a statement.
According to Adams, the villagers, following the accident, had taken the opportunity of the accident to fetch fuel which had poured in gutters and drainages.
He said, “Today (Wednesday) a petrol tanker from Port Harcourt going to Nguru in Yobe state reached Majiya village of Taura local government area at around 12:30am the driver lost control at Majiya and falls down.
“The content in the tanker flooded gutters and drainages in village. The villagers started fetching the fuel where the petrol going in to flame.
“As a result 95 people confirmed died and 50 have been hospitalised recieving treatment.”
DSP Adam disclosed that the authorities have commenced a mass burial for the victims on Wednesday morning, with the entire community mourning the loss.
He described the scene as a “horrific tragedy,” emphasising the need for the public to understand the risks associated with scooping fuel from accident scenes.
