30 burnt to death while scooping fuel from fallen tanker in Niger state
At least 30 people have been confirmed dead and about 40 others injured after a fuel tanker exploded on Tuesday morning in Essan and Badeggi communities along the Bida–Agaie road in Katcha LGA, Niger State.
Eyewitnesses said the victims were scooping fuel from an overturned tanker when it suddenly exploded, leaving several bodies burnt beyond recognition. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Confirming the incident, Niger State NUPENG Chairman, Farouk Mohammed Kawo, said the tanker was transporting fuel from Lagos to the North. He lamented the recurring accidents in the area, noting that over 30 tanker crashes have occurred there this month alone.
Kawo urged the state government to urgently repair the road and warned residents against the dangerous act of scooping fuel from accident scenes.
