Northern Nigeria Holds Mass Burial for Tanker Explosion Victims
On Wednesday, local government officials joined hundreds of mourners in northern Nigeria for the mass burial of over 140 victims killed in a devastating tanker explosion in Majiya, Jigawa State. The tragedy unfolded when an overturned gasoline tanker ignited as residents rushed to collect leaking fuel, leading to widespread destruction and leaving many bodies unrecognizable, according to emergency services.
Officials visited injured survivors receiving treatment at a local hospital. Tanker accidents are common in Nigeria, where the inefficient railway system forces fuel transportation by road. Many individuals risk their lives to salvage fuel from overturned tankers, especially as prices have surged following the government’s withdrawal of gas subsidies.
The explosion occurred around midnight after the tanker driver lost control on the highway, as confirmed by police spokesperson Lawan Adam. Local residents had gathered at the scene to collect fuel before the “massive inferno” erupted.
This incident follows another tragic event in September, where at least 48 people died when a fuel tanker collided with another truck in north-central Nigeria. The latest disaster has intensified concerns regarding the enforcement of safety regulations and traffic laws in a country where tanker accidents continue to take a heavy toll.
