Tanker Explosion: 50 Die While Scooping Fuel In Niger

Over 50 people have died in a petrol tanker explosion on Saturday after they gathered to scoop spilling fuel along the Dikko-Maje road, opposite the Badeggi fuelling station in the Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident occurred when a petrol tanker overturned and began spilling fuel, with people attempting to collect the fuel unaware of the imminent danger.

According to Mr Kumar Tsukwam, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Commander in Niger, the flames quickly engulfed those who had gathered to scoop the fuel, and even those who tried to rescue them were also caught in the blaze.

Tsukwam confirmed that more than 50 lives were lost in the tragic incident.

He assured that FRSC personnel, along with other emergency agencies, were on the scene, working tirelessly to rescue those trapped.

Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), explained that the explosion occurred around 9 am on Saturday.

He stated that the incident began when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed, and while efforts were being made to transfer the fuel to another tanker, the PMS came into contact with a generator, igniting an explosion.

Baba-Arah reported that many others were injured, and properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed.

Baba-Arah confirmed that NSEMA, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Suleja LGA Emergency Committee, and volunteers, was engaged in search, rescue, and recovery operations.

The injured have been moved to hospitals for treatment, and efforts to recover the bodies of the deceased are ongoing.

Further details are expected as the emergency response continues, with NAN reporting that the operation is still underway. Baba-Arah urged local residents to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders.