The death toll from a petrol tanker explosion following a head-on collision with another vehicle has increased to 59.
The incident occurred on Sunday along the Lapai-Agaie road, about 2 kilometers from the Dendo Community in Agaie LGA, Niger State. The petrol tanker collided head-on with another trailer transporting over 60 people and 50 cows from Kano to Lagos.
Abdullahi Baba-Arab, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the update in a statement on Monday. He noted that the number of fatalities might increase as the evacuation process continues.
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“The death toll has risen to 59. We lost one of the injured with first-degree burns at the Federal Medical Centre Bida,” Baba-Arab said. “Two locals were taken to a nearby village for burial, and the rest were discovered during evacuation. It’s also possible that more dead bodies could be discovered in the process of continued evacuation,” he added.
Kumar Tsukwam, Sector Commander of the Niger State Federal Road Safety Commission, explained that the petrol tanker, which was en route from Lagos, was traveling at high speed and lost control before the accident.
“The tanker from Lagos on transit to Kano loaded with fuel was on top speed, lost control, fell down, and was engulfed in fire. Another trailer that conveyed cows and humans was consequently affected, and two other vehicles were behind. All four vehicles were burned to ashes,” Tsukwam said.
He also reported that the trailer carrying humans and cows was alerted by a passenger about the fire ahead, but the driver initially dismissed it as a mere tire fire.
“On reaching the engulfed tanker, the trailer was also caught in the blaze, leading to the fire spreading to the two other vehicles. This resulted in the death of 35 people instantly, with two others who were injured subsequently dying at the hospital, bringing the total to 37,” Tsukwam explained.
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