A gasoline tanker exploded in a single day in northern Nigeria, killing no less than 153 individuals who rushed to the scene of the accident to gather leaking petrol, officers say.
The hearth engulfed the overturned car, which had been cordoned off by officers after it crashed in Jigawa state, the police advised the BBC.
About 100 different folks injured within the explosion have been taken to hospitals within the area, a lot of them in vital situation.
Officers had warned folks to not strategy the tanker after the accident late on Tuesday night time, however they have been unable to include the rising crowd, mentioned police spokesman Lawal Shiisu Adam.
“We tried our greatest to cease folks going to the car to get petrol however regardless of cordoning [off] the realm, we have been overpowered and as folks have been scooping gasoline, fireplace erupted,” he advised the BBC.
The crash occurred within the city of Majia at round 23:30 native time (22:30 GMT), he mentioned.
“The gasoline tanker was coming from Kano and heading to Nguru in Yobe state when the motive force misplaced management of the car.”
The motive force, who was not injured, has been taken into custody whereas the police conduct an investigation.
In a condolence message to the households of the victims, Vice-President Kashim Shettima known as for a complete overview of gasoline transportation security protocols throughout Nigeria.
A distressing video has been shared on social media exhibiting the moments after the fireplace erupted.
“Fireplace service and different emergency models rushed to the scene to assist after the incident,” Mr Adam mentioned.
Lots of the victims have been burnt past recognition. The recovered our bodies have been coated by tree branches to defend them from onlookers.
Rescue employees have been discovering extra our bodies – some a substantial distance from the scene of the accident. That they had presumably been making an attempt to get assist earlier than succumbing to their accidents, a police spokesman advised the BBC.
Most of those that died have been buried in a mass ceremony.
Gasoline tanker explosions and accidents are widespread in Nigeria – typically brought on by the poor state of roads and badly maintained automobiles.
Because the clear-up operation was underneath means in Jigawa, there was one other gasoline tanker accident in south-western Ogun state within the city of Ibafo.
It overturned on Wednesday morning on a fundamental street in entrance of a industrial financial institution, spilling petrol earlier than bursting into flames.
The hearth ravaged the realm damaging different lorries. No-one was injured within the incident, however it’s estimated to have prompted 1000’s of {dollars}’ value of harm.
In September, 59 folks died in Nigeria’s Niger state after a gasoline tanker collided with a lorry carrying passengers and cattle.
Extra reporting from the BBC’s Andrew Present in Ibafo.
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