The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 12, 2025
Today: April 12, 2025

Fuel tanker accident kills at least 147 in Nigeria

October 16, 2024

By Camillus Eboh and Ahmed Kingimi

Fuel tanker accident, in Majia

(Reuters) -A fuel tanker overturned late on Tuesday in Nigeria's northern state of Jigawa after the driver lost control of the vehicle, spilling petrol which exploded and killed at least 147 people, police and state emergency services said on Wednesday.

The accident is one of the worst in recent times in Africa's most populous nation, which is battling with widespread security threats and a cost of living crisis.

Haruna Mairiga, head of Jigawa state emergency services, put the death toll from the accident at 147.

Local police spokesperson Lawan Shiisu Adam said the tanker was travelling from the ancient city of Kano to Yobe State in the north, when the driver lost control near Majia town in Taura local government area, about 530 kilometers (330 miles) north of the capital Abuja, causing it to overturn and spill fuel.

Adam said that villagers attempted to scoop petrol from the spillage, resulting in a fire that engulfed the area, reportedly leading to many deaths.

Adam added that 50 others were wounded and have been taken to local hospitals, in Ringim and Hadejia towns where they were being treated.

A mass burial was held for the dead on Wednesday, Mairiga said.

Many roads in Nigeria are poorly maintained and riven with potholes, causing accidents that claim dozens of lives every year.

Last month, at least 48 people were killed in north-central Nigeria when a fuel tanker exploded after colliding with another truck carrying travellers and cattle, trapping other vehicles as well in the blaze.

(Additional reporting Hamza Ibrahim in Kano and Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo and Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Alexandra HudsonEditing by Peter Graff, Bernadette Baum, Alexandra Hudson)

Share This

Popular

Africa|Economy|Election|Political

Gabon coup leader eyes seven-year mandate in presidential vote

Gabon coup leader eyes seven-year mandate in presidential vote
Africa|Election|Political|World

Voters in Gabon choose a new president in the first election since the 2023 coup

Voters in Gabon choose a new president in the first election since the 2023 coup
Africa|Environment|Science

Vultures are among the least loved animals. African conservationists are trying to change that

Vultures are among the least loved animals. African conservationists are trying to change that
Africa|Business|Economy|MidEast|Political|World

UN humanitarian agency will lay off hundreds of staff due to funding crisis

UN humanitarian agency will lay off hundreds of staff due to funding crisis

World

MidEast|Political|US|World

Iran, US end high-level talks in Oman, agree to resume 'next week', Tehran says

Iran, US end high-level talks in Oman, agree to resume 'next week', Tehran says
MidEast|Political|World

Israel cuts off Gaza's southern city of Rafah and vows to 'vigorously' expand in the territory

Israel cuts off Gaza's southern city of Rafah and vows to 'vigorously' expand in the territory
Health|MidEast|Political|World

Israelโ€™s Gaza offensive pushes hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into an ever-shrinking bubble

Israelโ€™s Gaza offensive pushes hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into an ever-shrinking bubble
Europe|Political|US|World

Russia's Lavrov praises Trump's understanding of Ukraine conflict

Russia's Lavrov praises Trump's understanding of Ukraine conflict

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In