A petrol tanker explosion in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, has claimed at least 105 lives, with 55 others injured.
The explosion occurred late Tuesday night, around 11:30 p.m., when the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle near Khadija University.
Shiisu Adam, the Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Police Command, confirmed the figures during a phone interview on Wednesday. He said, “As I am talking to you now, the casualty figure is about 105, and the number of injured is 55, as against the 50 earlier confirmed.”
The tanker, which was traveling from Kano to Nguru town in Yobe State, lost control and exploded. Many victims were reported to have rushed to the scene to collect spilled petrol, which led to the high number of casualties.
Some of the injured are receiving treatment at Ringim General Hospital, but due to limited space, others have been transferred to the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kudu.
Preparations are currently underway for a mass burial, as most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition.
