Niger Fuel Tank Explosion: 48 people died after tanker-truck collision

At least 48 people died in the deadliest Niger fuel tank incident following an explosion that resulted from a petrol tanker collision with another truck. This incident happened at about 12:30 am along the Bida-Agaie-Lapai highway on Sep 8, 2024.

Abdullah Baba-Arah is the director general at the Nigerian State Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). He stated tanker was transporting cattle in the Agaie region in north-central Niger state.

At least 50 of them were burned alive. He continued by saying that search and rescue efforts by authorities were underway at the accident place.

According to Abdullah Baba-Arah, the accident happened two kilometers from the Dendo community in the Agaie. It is the Local Government Area of Niger.

He revealed it happened when a petrol-loaded tanker hit a trailer truck containing travelers and cattle from Wudil, Kano State. The truck was on its way to Lagos. However, two other vehicles, a crane truck, and a pickup van also became affected by this collision.

In a later statement, Abdullah initially revealed the deaths of 30 people. But later he raised it to 10 more victims who died from burns in the crash. Moreover, they had prepared a mass burial for dead victims.

Mr Baba Arah also said the agency’s RRT and LGEMCs were still present at the accident place. As more corpses were still trapped inside the truck in the aftermath of the Niger Fuel Tank Explosion. RRT refers to the Rapid Respond Team while LGEMCs to the Local Emergency Management Committee.

Heartfelt condolences to the families & loved ones of the victims of the tragic tanker explosion in Niger State. May the souls of the departed rest in peace. May God comfort and strengthen those affected by this devastating incident. pic.twitter.com/QugiladuvM
— Ahmad (@1PenStudios) September 9, 2024

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Meanwhile, the governor of Niger state, Mohammed Bago advised people to maintain their composure and urged drivers always remain cautious. The governor stated drivers must follow road traffic regulations to protect lives and property.

The most popular nation in Africa, Nigeria usually experiences such deadly truck accidents on its highways due to a lack of an effective railway infrastructure for moving cargo.

According to Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps, 1,5131 gasoline tanker crashes alone happened in the year 2020 which resulted in deaths of 535 fatalities and 1,142 injuries.