Fuel Tanker Crash kills 153 in Nigeria

A fuel tanker exploded overnight in northern Nigeria, claiming at least 153 lives as people rushed to collect leaking petrol, according to officials.

The blaze engulfed the overturned vehicle, which had been cordoned off by police following the crash in Jigawa state. Around 100 others suffered injuries in the explosion and have been hospitalized, many in critical condition.

Police had warned against approaching the tanker after the accident late Tuesday night, but they were unable to control the growing crowd, as noted by police spokesman Lawal Shiisu Adam.

“We tried our best to prevent people from accessing the vehicle, but despite cordoning off the area, we were overwhelmed as people scooped fuel, which ignited,” he explained.

The incident occurred in Majia around 11:30 PM local time. The tanker, traveling from Kano to Nguru in Yobe state, overturned after the driver lost control. The driver, unharmed, is in police custody as an investigation is conducted.

A distressing video circulating on social media shows the moments following the explosion. Emergency services quickly arrived to assist at the scene.

Many victims were burned beyond recognition, and their bodies have been covered with branches to shield them from view. Rescue workers are continuing to find bodies, some found far from the crash site, likely as victims attempted to seek help before succumbing to their injuries, a police spokesperson said.

Most of the deceased have been laid to rest in a mass burial.

Fuel tanker accidents are frequent in Nigeria, often attributed to poor road conditions and inadequately maintained vehicles. Meanwhile, as clean-up operations continue in Jigawa, another fuel tanker incident has occurred in Ogun state.