OVER 95 people have died and over 50 others hospitalised when a tanker laden with petrol crashed and later exploded in Majiya village of Taura Local Council of Jigawa State on Wednesday morning, October 16.
The victims and others were reportedly scooping fuel from the fallen tanker when it suddenly exploded, with many of them roasted by in ensuing fire.
Spokesman of Jigawa State Police Command, Lawal Shiisu Adams (DSP), who confirmed the tragedy in a statement, said: “Today (Wednesday), a petrol tanker from Port Harcourt going to Nguru in Yobe State reached Majiya village of Taura Local Government Area at around 12:30am, the driver lost control at Majiya and fell down.
“About 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Majiya Town, Taura local government area of Jigawa, the tanker driver lost control near Khadija University and it exploded.
“The driver left Kano and was heading to Nguru in Yobe when the accident happened
“The content in the tanker flooded gutters and drainage in the village and the villagers started fetching the fuel and there was an explosion and fire.
“The residents were scooping fuel from the overturned tanker when the explosion occurred, sparking a massive inferno that killed 94 people on the spot.
“The incident left another 50 people severely injured, who were then rushed to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for treatment.”
“We are worried that in spite of Police warning for people to steer clear from scenes of accidents involving fuel tankers, they still engage in such acts. People gathered around the accident scene, that is the reason for the mass casualty.”
The spokesperson said that a mass burial of the victims was to be held on Wednesday at 9a.m., while the injured were receiving medical attention at the Ringim General Hospital.
State Commissioner of Police, A.T. Abdullahi, while expressing his condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire people of the state, added: “This is a heartbreaking moment for us all.
“We share in the pain and sorrow of the families affected. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved.”
He called for increased public awareness regarding the dangers of petrol explosions, urging residents to report such incidents to relevant authorities to prevent loss of life.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, as many residents struggled to rescue the injured amid the flames.
A resident, Sani Umar, who narrowly escaped the inferno, recounted: “It was terrifying. People were running in all directions, screaming for help. The fire spread so quickly that many couldn’t escape.”
