A petrol tanker has exploded along the Kano-Hadejia expressway in Taura LGA of Jigawa state, resulting in numerous casualties.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire spread rapidly, causing extensive damage and overwhelming emergency services.
At least 105 people have been confirmed dead following a petrol tanker explosion.
The Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer,DSP Lawan Shiisu confirmed that at least 105 people have been confirmed dead following a petrol tanker explosion.
He said that about 55 people sustained various degrees of injuries and were hospitalized at Ringim General Hospital.
“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,” he said.
He attributed the high number of casualties and injured persons in Tuesday’s fuel tanker explosion to desperate moves by the people in the area to scoop the product which littered the ground after the accident.
He said, “Despite the efforts of the police, who had cordoned off the area and issued warnings to the public, people resisted and started scooping the fuel, triggering a devastating explosion.”
Shiisu added that the police struggled to keep control of the scene, with many bystanders ignoring warnings and moving dangerously close to the accident site.
