More than 90 people have been killed and at least 50 injured after a petro tanker exploded in Majiya village, Nigeria, on Wednesday.
The driver of the tanker, traveling from Portharcourt to Nguru in Yobe state, lost control of the vehicle when it reached Majiya village in the Taura local government area at around 12:30 am, causing it to fall, according to local media reports.
The deaths of 95 people and injuries to 50 others have been confirmed by the Jigawa police, as reported by local media.
“Today (Wednesday), a petro tanker from Portharcourt going to Nguru in Yobe state reached Majiya village in the Taura local government area at around 12:30 am when the driver lost control, and it overturned,” said DSP Lawal Shiisu Adams, the Jigawa State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), as quoted by the Nigerian Tribune.
“The contents of the tanker spilled, flooding the gutters and drainages in the village. Seeing this, the villagers began fetching the fuel, which then ignited, causing the fire,” Adams added.