No fewer than 59 people have been confirmed dead in Niger State, Nigeria, after a fuel tanker collided with a lorry carrying passengers and cattle on Sunday September 8, 2024.
The accident occurred along the Lapai-Agaie road, about two kilometers from Dendo community in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State.
Nigeria News Flight gathered that the petrol tanker, which was coming from Lagos had a head-on collusion with a trailer from the opposite direction carrying cattle dealers and their cattle from Kano State.
Two other vehicles, a truck and a pickup van, were also caught in the inferno which rapidly spread to nearby properties causing destruction of properties.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency, which confirned the accident, said it occured at the north central state around 00:30 local time (23:30 GMT Saturday), and caused an explosion that engulfed both vehicles.
The agency’s Director-general, Abdullahi Baba-arah, said response teams were dispatched to the scene to manage the situation.
He further disclosed that other vehicles were also caught up in the explosion.
Also read: NYG: Niger sponsors 134 athletes, snubs SWAN
The spokesman of the agency, Hussain Ibrahim, told the BBC that the death toll could rise even higher.
“The death toll has now risen to 59 after one of those badly injured died at the hospital and from more discoveries at the site of the accident.
“It’s also possible that more dead bodies could be discovered in the process of the continued evacuation,” he said.
Footage taken from the scene shortly after the incident shows the two vehicles, which have been entirely burnt out, as well as a number of dead cattle.
An emergency rescue worker said they were attempting to recover bodies, as well as dead animals which were still inside the vehicle.
Mr Ibrahim told the BBC that funerals took place for the most of the victims on Sunday.
“This without doubt is the worst accident we have recorded in many years,” he said.
He added that the Niger State government is footing the hospital bill for the injured.
Meanwhile, the state Governor, Umaru Bago, has expressed sadness over the incident.
He said he was “pained by the unfortunate incident” in a condolence message to the families of the victims.
……………
For more interesting stories click: nigerianewsflight.com.ng
