In a tragic incident in Niger, Nigeria, 59 people have been confirmed dead following a collision between a fuel tanker and a lorry. The state emergency agency reported that the lorry was transporting both passengers and cattle when the collision occurred around 12:30 local time on Sunday. The immediate explosion engulfed both vehicles in flames, which spread to other nearby vehicles.
The director-general of the state emergency agency, Abdullahi Baba-arah, stated that response teams were swiftly dispatched to the scene to conduct rescue operations and manage the situation. Hussain Ibrahim, a spokesperson for the Niger State emergency unit, informed the BBC that the death toll might increase. He revealed that one of the severely injured victims had died in the hospital and more bodies were being discovered at the accident site. Ibrahim emphasized the severity of the incident, calling it the worst accident recorded in many years.
Niger State’s governor, Umaru Bago, has offered his condolences to the victims’ families and assured that the state would cover the hospital bills of the injured. He expressed deep sorrow over the incident, acknowledging the profound impact on the community.
The BBC reports that such accidents have become increasingly common in Nigeria, often attributed to poorly maintained roads. This incident highlights the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to prevent future tragedies of this nature.
