At least 12 persons died while 15 others were injured when a fuel tanker went up in flames on Bomala Bridge, Gombe State, on Saturday.
Also affected were two buildings, a table water distribution vehicle, a tricycle, and a motorcycle.
An eyewitness, Adamu Kabo, said the tanker lost brake: “The fuel tanker’s brake failed as it approached the Bomala Bridge. The driver struggled with the truck, ran into an Atlantis table water distribution vehicle, a motorcycle and a tricycle, and pushed them away from the bridge. The impact of this accident is massive.”
It was gathered that firemen, despite assistance from the police, Red Cross, and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), had a hard time putting out the fire as their equipment were allegedly inadequate.
Another eyewitness, Hasidu Abdullahi, said a private water tanker was contracted in an attempt to put out the fire.
Gombe police spokesperson, Mary Malum, confirmed the casualty figure. “The number of the dead has increased to 12 and 15 persons were injured. I can confirm that,” she said.
Electric poles were destroyed in the incident throwing the area into darkness.
Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, who was not in the state on Saturday, has commiserated with victims of the tanker explosion.
The governor, through the Speaker of Gombe State House of Assembly, Nasiru Nono, visited the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, where injured victims were receiving treatment.
He said: “The governor is pained by this gas accident, and has promised to bear the cost of the victims’ medical bills. As a House, on Tuesday, we will extensively discuss the issues pertaining to another alternative bye pass as the growing population seems to have defeated its purpose.”
