A catastrophic event unfolded in Majiya, a region in northwestern Nigeria, when a petrol tanker exploded, leading to the tragic loss of at least 147 lives. The National Emergency Management Agency of Nigeria confirmed the incident.
The incident occurred late Tuesday night when the driver of the tanker lost control of the vehicle, according to Shi’isu Adam, a spokesperson for the Jigawa regional police. The aftermath was a horrifying scene of thick smoke and raging flames, with rescue efforts underway to assist the injured amidst the ensuing chaos.
Jigawa state’s Governor, Umar Namadi, visited the site on Wednesday to assess the damage and was updated on the increasing death toll. Sani Umar, a local resident who narrowly escaped the disaster, recounted the terrifying scene of people fleeing in panic as the fire spread rapidly, preventing many from reaching safety.
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 previous warnings from the police to steer clear of accident sites involving fuel tankers, a crowd had gathered to collect the leaking fuel, which unfortunately led to a higher number of casualties.
Adam expressed his concern over the public’s disregard for safety warnings, attributing the high number of fatalities to this behavior. The injured were immediately transported to local hospitals for medical treatment, as reported by the Emergency Management Agency.
The area has been cordoned off as authorities carry out a comprehensive investigation into the accident. Jigawa state’s police commissioner, AT Abdullahi, expressed his deep condolences to the families mourning 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.