At least 39 people have been killed in an oil tanker explosion in Nigeria's central Niger state after the vehicle skidded off the road and crashed, spilling fuel, an aid worker has told the BBC.
Another 60 people with varying degrees of injuries are currently receiving treatment at a hospital, said Abdullahi Baba Ara, head of the Niger state emergency service.
Villagers rushed to collect fuel from the overturned tanker which suddenly exploded, setting off a massive fire that engulfed them.
Tanker explosions are a recurring tragedy in Nigeria, despite repeated warnings about the dangers of collecting spilled fuel.
The intense blaze burned many victims beyond recognition, and the injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The accident occurred near the Essan and Badeggi communities along the Bida-Agaie road in the Katcha Local Government Area of Niger state.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed his condolences, describing the incident as worrisome, unfortunate and pathetic. He emphasized the disheartening nature of people approaching fallen tankers to scoop their contents, despite awareness campaigns. The tanker had been carrying petroleum products from Lagos to the north and crashed due to poor road conditions.
The situation underscores the challenges with road safety in Nigeria, where accidents due to poor infrastructure remain a pressing issue. Last year, a similar explosion in Jigawa state claimed 153 lives. In January of this year, another incident in Niger state saw 86 fatalities.
