A petrol tanker explosion in Majiya Town of Taura Local Government Area, Jigawa State on Wednesday morning left 94 persons dead and over 50 injured.
Jigawa police spokesman Lawan Adam 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.”
Adam said that the authorities have commenced a mass burial for the victims, with the entire community mourning.
He described the scene as a “horrific tragedy,” emphasising the need for the public to understand the risks associated with scooping fuel from accident scenes.
Commissioner of police in Jigawa State, AT Abdullahi, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and the entire people of Jigawa State.
“This is a heartbreaking moment for us all. We share in the pain and sorrow of the families affected. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved,” he said.
The commissioner called for increased public awareness regarding the dangers of petrol explosions and urged residents to report such incidents to relevant authorities.
“We appeal to the public to notify security agencies or relevant stakeholders when such accidents occur to prevent loss of life. Safety must be our priority,” he added.
