- A loaded petrol tanker fell
- People rushed to the scene scooping the spilling fuel
No fewer than 50 people have been burnt to death in a tanker explosion which took place Saturday afternoon at Dikko in the Suleja local government area of Niger state
Several houses and shops were also completely razed in the inferno, leading to the loss of millions of naira.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the accident occured when a tanker laden with petrol crashed and another was brought to transfer the PMS it was conveying.
However according to witness account, youths and some women rushed to the scene to scoop petrol from the overturned tanker when suddenly an explosion occurred, resulting in wild fire that engulfed the scoopers and the two vehicles.
Mr Kumar Tsukwam, Federal Road Safety Commander (FRSC) in Niger, confirmed the incident.
He said a loaded petrol tanker fell at the scene of the incident with people scooping the spilling fuel, unaware of the impending danger.
Tsukwam said those who went to scoop fuel were engulfed by the flames just as those who went to rescue them were also affected.
He said more than 50 people lost their lives in the tragic incident.
He, however, assured that personnel of the corps and other sister agencies were on ground for the rescue mission.
Tsukwam confirmed that his men were on the scene, working tirelessly to rescue those trapped.
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