By Dansu Peter No fewer than 50 people tragically lost their lives on Saturday following a petrol tanker explosion along the Dikko-Maje Ro...
By Dansu Peter
Mr. Kumar Tsukwam, Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger State, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.
He explained that the disaster occurred when a petrol tanker, fully loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), fell, causing fuel to spill across the area. Residents and passersby, unaware of the potential danger, rushed to scoop the fuel.
“Unfortunately, the spilled fuel ignited, engulfing those at the scene. Even individuals who attempted to rescue the victims were caught in the flames,” Tsukwam stated.
The explosion claimed over 50 lives, with rescue efforts ongoing. Personnel from the FRSC, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), and other agencies were at the scene to manage the crisis.
The Director-General of NSEMA, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, provided further details. He revealed that the tanker crash occurred around 9:00 a.m. while an effort was being made to transfer its contents to another tanker. Tragically, fuel came into contact with a generator being used for the transfer, sparking a massive explosion.
Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Suleja LGA Emergency Committee, and volunteers, are conducting search, rescue, and recovery operations. Injured victims have been transported to nearby hospitals, while efforts are underway to recover the remains of the deceased.
This devastating incident underscores the dangers of fuel mishandling and the need for heightened safety awareness in such situations.
No comments