Fuel tank, lorry collision kills 59 people in Nigeria
1. Niger State emergency expects possibility of more deaths as hospital bills of injured being covered by state governor
A tragic accident in Niger State, Nigeria, has claimed the lives of 59 people after a fuel tanker collided with a lorry, according to the state emergency agency. The lorry was reportedly carrying passengers and cattle when the collision occurred around 12:30 PM local time on Sunday, triggering a massive explosion that engulfed both vehicles in flames. Nearby vehicles were also consumed by the fire.
The Director-General of the emergency agency, Abdullahi Baba-arah, confirmed that response teams were immediately dispatched to the scene to conduct rescue operations and manage the aftermath of the explosion.
Hussain Ibrahim, a spokesperson for the Niger State emergency unit, told the BBC that the death toll may rise further. “The number of fatalities has increased to 59 after one of the critically injured victims passed away in the hospital, and more bodies were discovered at the accident site,” he said. He warned that additional casualties might be found during the ongoing evacuation process, calling the incident "the worst accident we've recorded in many years."
Ibrahim also noted that the Niger State government is covering the medical expenses for the injured survivors.
Niger State Governor Umaru Bago expressed his condolences to the victims' families, saying he was deeply saddened by the tragic event.
The BBC reported that such accidents are common in Nigeria due to the poor condition of the roads.
