The accident occurred on Tuesday when a tanker loaded with fuel capsized on a damaged section of the Katya-Agaye road in Niger state, spilling its contents, TRT said.
Witnesses told Anadolu that residents rushed to collect the leaking fuel. Shortly after, the tanker exploded.
“Most of the victims were people who were scooping petrol before the explosion occurred,” Farouk Mohammed Kawo, chairman of the Niger State Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), told reporters.
“Authorities are still carrying out rescue operations at the scene of the accident. This unfortunate accident has caused severe traffic congestion on the constantly busy expressway, especially due to the poor nature of the road,” said Hajiya Aishatou Sa’adou, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) of Niger’s Armed Forces.
The accident highlights the recurring problem of fuel tanker explosions in Nigeria. Many of these explosions are caused by poor road conditions, reckless driving, and residents attempting to recover fuel.
MNA/