A tanker truck exploded in a single day in northern Nigeria, killing no less than 147 individuals who rushed to the scene to gather leaking gasoline, officers mentioned.
Police instructed the BBC that fireplace engulfed the overturned automobile and cordoned off the automobile after the incident.
About 100 folks injured within the explosion have been taken to hospitals within the close by city of Ringim in Jigawa state, with many in crucial situation.
Police warned folks to not method the tanker after the accident late Tuesday night time, however they had been unable to manage the rising crowds, police spokesman Lawal Shiisu Adam mentioned.
“We tried our greatest to cease folks from going to their automobiles to refuel, however regardless of the lockdown [off] On this space we had been overpowered and the fireplace broke out whereas folks had been scooping out gasoline,” he instructed the BBC.
He mentioned the accident occurred at round 23:30 native time (22:30 GMT) within the city of Majia in northern Jigawa state.
“The tanker truck was touring from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State when the motive force misplaced management of the automobile.”
The driving force, who was not injured, is in custody and police are investigating.
A harrowing video has been shared on social media displaying the moments after the fireplace broke out.
“Following the incident, the fireplace service and different emergency companies attended the scene to supply help,” Mr Adam mentioned.
Lots of the victims had been burned past recognition. The physique that was discovered was coated with tree branches to forestall onlookers from seeing it.
Rescuers have recovered extra our bodies, some fairly removed from the scene of the accident. A police spokesman instructed the BBC they might have been attempting to name for assist earlier than they had been injured.
A lot of the useless had been buried in communal ceremonies.
Tanker explosions and accidents are widespread in Nigeria and are sometimes attributable to poor street circumstances and poorly maintained automobiles.
Whereas clean-up work was underway in Jigawa, one other oil tanker accident occurred in Ibafo city in southwestern Ogun State.
The automotive overturned on a essential street in entrance of a business financial institution on Wednesday morning, spilling petrol after which burst into flames.
The hearth ravaged the realm and broken different vehicles. Nobody was injured within the incident, however the injury is estimated to be 1000’s of {dollars} value.
In September, a tanker truck collided with a truck carrying passengers and cattle in Niger State, Nigeria, killing 59 folks.
Extra reporting by the BBC’s Andrew Present in Ibafo.
