Death Toll from Niger State Petrol Tanker Explosion Rises to 59 as Evacuation Continues
Agaie, Niger State – The death toll from a devastating petrol tanker explosion following a head-on collision with another articulated vehicle has risen to 59, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA). The tragic incident occurred on Sunday along the Lapai-Agaie road, 2 km from Dendo Community in Agaie Local Government Area.
The collision involved a petrol tanker and a trailer transporting over 60 people and 50 cows from Kano to Lagos. Abdullahi Baba-Arab, the Director General of NSEMA, revealed on Monday that the number of fatalities could rise further as the evacuation process continues. “We lost one of the injured with first-degree burns at the Federal Medical Centre Bida, and it’s possible more bodies could be discovered,” Baba-Arab stated.
The Niger State Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) sector commander, Kumar Tsukwam, provided additional details on the incident. He reported that the petrol tanker, which was en route from Lagos to Kano, lost control due to brake failure while traveling at high speed. This led to the tanker falling over and catching fire, which subsequently engulfed a trailer carrying humans and cows, as well as two other vehicles.
Tsukwam noted that the driver of the trailer, despite being warned by a passenger about the impending fire, dismissed the concern as a minor issue. The trailer and the other vehicles were completely consumed by the blaze, resulting in the immediate death of 35 people, with additional fatalities later at the hospital bringing the total to 59.
In a phone call with PUNCH on Monday, Tsukwam confirmed that all the cows were also burned in the fire. He mentioned that some locals had attempted to salvage parts of the dead animals before authorities advised that all the remains be incinerated to prevent a potential health crisis. “The cows were burnt, and some marabouts were already cutting the legs to sell, but it was advised that all the cows be burnt to avoid an epidemic,” he said.