At least 70 people were killed and many more injured in a tragic incident in northern Nigeria on Saturday when a petrol tanker truck overturned, leading to a catastrophic explosion after spilling fuel, according to the country’s national emergency agency. The accident, which occurred in Niger state, follows a similar deadly blast in Jigawa state last October that claimed 153 lives, marking one of the most severe tragedies of its kind in Nigeria's history.

The National Emergency Management Authority reported that over 70 bodies have been recovered, along with 56 individuals injured and more than 15 shops destroyed during the incident. Recovery efforts are ongoing to retrieve additional victims, and the injured have been taken to hospitals for medical treatment. Witness accounts noted that residents were digging graves to honor the deceased in accordance with Islamic traditions, as Niger state has a predominantly Muslim population.

According to Kumar Tsukwam, the Federal Road Safety Corps sector commander for Niger state, the victims primarily comprised impoverished local residents who rushed to collect the spilled petrol after the tanker's overturning. Despite attempts to prevent them from gathering around the site, a large crowd formed, leading to the tragic outcome. Tsukwam also mentioned that firefighters successfully extinguished the fire caused by the explosion. Such incidents have become alarmingly frequent in Africa’s largest oil producer, where the population is currently facing its worst cost of living crisis in decades.

Since President Bola Tinubu eliminated a long-standing fuel subsidy upon taking office in May 2023, petrol prices in Nigeria have surged by over 400%. In light of this tragedy, Bologi Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Niger state governor, urged residents to prioritize safety during petrol tanker accidents. For more details, visit SCMP or see the report by CNN.