Niger Tanker Explosion: Death Toll Rises To 59

The death toll of victims of the early Sunday morning, September 8 tanker explosion in Niger State has risen to 59, as the search and rescue operation by the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, with other collaborating agencies continues on day 2 of the incident.

The incident occurred at about 12:30 am on Sunday and involved 4 vehicles; a tanker, a truck that was coming from Wudil in Kano State, a forklift truck and a pickup van that was conveying goods to Agaie market.

Also Read: Imo Explosion: President Buhari Condoles With Families, Directs Clampdown On Illegal Refineries

A statement by the spokesman of the agency, Hussaini Ibrahim, said a total of 59 people burnt beyond recognition have so far been recovered and given mass burial at the scene of the incident. 

According to the statement, “the death toll has risen to 59, we lost one of the injured with first degree burnt at FMC Bida, two locals that were taken to a village nearby for burial, and the rest was discoveries during evacuation. It’s also possible that more dead bodies could be discovered in the process of the continued evacuation”.

Similarly, over 50 cattle involved in the incident were also burnt.

It would be recalled that a similar tanker explosion occurred in August 2020, killing 8 people and injuring 7 others.