Police in Jigawa say the death toll from a petrol tanker explosion in Majiya town in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State in the early hours of Wednesday has risen to 105.
Jigawa police spokesman Lawan Adam earlier said the explosion was triggered by residents who rushed to collect petrol after the tanker overturned.
It was gathered that the driver, travelling from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control of the vehicle near Khadija University, Majiya.
“The residents were scooping fuel from the overturned tanker when the explosion occurred, sparking a massive inferno that killed 94 people on the spot,” Adam explained.
“The incident left another 50 people severely injured, who were then rushed to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for treatment.”
In an update on the incident, Adam told PUNCH that 105 people have now been confirmed dead while 55 are hospitalised for various injuries.
“As I am talking to you now, the casualty figure is about 105 and the number of injured is 55 as against the 50 earlier confirmed,” he said.
It was learnt that the injured persons are being treated at the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kudu and Ringim General Hospital.
