Combined images of the mass burial | Photo: Channelstv
Jigawa State government has on Wednesday conducted a mass burial for the 140 victims of the petrol tanker explosion that rocked Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area of the state.
Also, no fewer than 90 other victims of the incident are currently in various hospitals in the state receiving treatment.
The explosion occurred around late night on Tuesday when the driver of the tanker, travelling from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control near Khadija University, Majiya.
The tanker, which had departed Kano and was heading to Nguru Town in Yobe State, exploded after the driver lost control.
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The disaster, according to the police, was triggered by residents who had rushed to scoop spilt petrol after the tanker overturned.
“The residents were scooping fuel from the overturned tanker when the explosion occurred, sparking a massive inferno that killed 94 people on the spot,” Police Public Relations Officer of Jigawa State Command, DSP Lawan Adam, explained in a statement.
“The incident left another 50 people severely injured, who were then rushed to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for treatment.”
Adam described the scene as a “horrific tragedy,” emphasising the need for the public to understand the risks associated with scooping fuel from accident scenes.
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