At least 100 people have reportedly lost their lives in a tragic tanker explosion in Niger State.
In addition to the human casualties, over 50 cattle were also burned to ashes in the incident, which occurred yesterday along the Lapai-Agaie road.
According to sources, the explosion happened when a petrol tanker collided with a trailer carrying passengers and cattle, resulting in a massive fire.
Residents in the area, speaking to our correspondent, confirmed that the death toll has risen to around 100 people.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, has so far confirmed 30 fatalities, with rescue efforts still underway.
“We counted about 100 people burnt in the accident and the rescue operation is still going on.
“Our people could not go close to the affected vehicles due to the magnitude of the fire, hence the great loss of lives and property,” one of the villagers, Abubakar Agaie confirmed to our correspondent.
“The tragic incident occured in Dendo community in Agaie Local Government Area of the state.
“We (NSEMA) received a report of a deadly tanker explosion that occurred on September 8, 2024, about 12.30a.m., along Lapai-Agaie, 2km from Dendo Community in Agaie LGA .
“The incident occurred when a petrol tanker loaded with PMS collided with a trailer truck loaded with travellers and cattle from Wudil in Kano State, heading to Lagos. Two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van were also caught in the incident.
“No fewer than 30 people are already confirmed dead with over 50 cattle burnt alive and NSEMA’s Rapid Respond Team, RRT, in conjunction with LGEMCs, is still on scene of the incident conducting search and response operation as more corpses were still trapped inside the trucks,” the statement said.
