On Sunday, 8th September 2024, an accident occurred in the Agaie area of Niger State, Nigeria, where a fuel tanker collided with a truck leading to a massive explosion that killed at least 48 people.
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The explosion led to the death of at least 52 people with many others sustaining injuries. Most of the victims were burned beyond recognition, necessitating a mass burial.
More than 50 cattle, which were being transported in the truck, were also killed in the explosion. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency released photographs showing rescue workers burying charred bodies in a mass grave, while the shells of the vehicles involved were left as burned-out husks.
A fuel tanker, transporting both fuel and cattle collided head-on with another truck. The crash resulted in a massive explosion that killed at least 48 people and left many others injured.
30 bodies were discovered, but in a later statement by Abdullahi Baba-Arab, Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, an additional 18 bodies were found, bringing the total number of casualties to 48.
Due to the severity of the burns and the difficulty in identifying the victims, the bodies were burnt beyond recognition. A mass burial was conducted near the site of the accident.
Emergency services led by the Niger State Emergency Management Agency initiated search-and-rescue operations at the scene. While the number of injured persons was not immediately clear.
The truck involved in the accident was carrying not only people but also at least 50 cattle, all of which were burned alive in the explosion.
Fatal accidents involving fuel tankers and trucks are not uncommon in Nigeria. With over 220 million people, the country’s transportation system heavily relies on road networks due to the absence of a functional railway system.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps of Nigeria, there were 1,531 gasoline tanker crashes in 2020 alone, leading to 535 deaths and over 1,142 injuries.
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Rescue teams from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency were dispatched to the scene to manage the aftermath. In addition to the mass burial of the victims, efforts were also made to retrieve the remains of other bodies and cattle from the wreckage.
Eight survivors who sustained injuries during the explosion were taken to the hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
The Niger State government has confirmed that it is covering the medical expenses of these injured individuals.
Fuel tanker explosions and accidents are frequent in Nigeria due to poorly maintained roads and inadequate traffic regulations.
The country’s overreliance on road transport for the movement of goods including hazardous materials like petrol and diesel.
With no efficient railway system in place for transporting cargo, the heavy use of trucks and tankers on Nigeria’s deteriorating road network often results in deadly accidents.
In 2020, the Federal Road Safety Corps reported 1,531 fuel tanker accidents, which led to 535 deaths and over 1,000 injuries.
According to the FRSC, over 5,000 people died in road accidents in Nigeria in 2023 with the number slightly decreasing from nearly 6,500 fatalities the previous year.
However, the real figures could be much higher as not all accidents are reported to the authorities. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 40,000 road deaths occur in Nigeria every year.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to the people of Niger State particularly those affected in the Agaie area.
She expressed her sadness over the loss of lives and property due to the explosion. The First Lady’s message included prayers for the victims, their families and the affected community asking for strength and comfort during this difficult time.
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