The death toll from the petrol tanker explosion in Essa community in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State on Tuesday, has risen to 42, with more than 60 persons injured.
According to the report from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the tanker lost control between due to the poor state of the road, overturned and exploded shortly after spilling some of the products.
The agency explained that the explosion claimed the lives of 42 persons, including nine males, 24 females and nine children.
The report added that 60 persons, who were scooping spilled petrol before the explosion, suffered varying degrees of burns and are receiving treatment in Primary Health Care Centre, Idris Private Hospital, and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Bida.
The agency also said that emergency responders from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), NEMA, and local volunteers were mobilised to manage the rescue operation and maintain order.
According to local media reports, the state government has provided drugs and medical supplies worth over ₦10 million to support hospitals treating the victims and presented cash donations to the affected families receiving care in the hospitals.
The reports also said that the state government commended the management of the Federal Medical Centre Bida for their swift response and professional support while appreciating the State Ministry of Health, Emergency Response Teams, and the Katcha Local Government Authority, jointly coordinating the rescue and medical operations,
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has expressed sadness over the tragedy, lamenting that despite sustained sensitisation, citizens still risk their lives to scoop fuel.
“The incident is saddening because, despite sustained public sensitisation and repeated warnings about the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, some citizens still take such life-threatening risks,” the minister said.
However, the residents in the area blamed the accident on the deplorable state of the road and appealed to the government to improve the poor state of federal roads.
Petrol tanker accidents and the loss of lives are common features on Nigerian roads and despite warnings from the authorities against scooping petrol or any other petroleum products at accident spots involving petrol tankers have not been taken seriously by the citizens.
GIK/APA