ABUJA: A catastrophic oil tanker accident in Nigeria’s northern Niger State has claimed the lives of at least 35 individuals, officials reported.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the tanker overturned while traveling on a state road, causing petrol to spill and subsequently ignite, resulting in a powerful explosion.
Sector Commander Aishatu Sadu explained that the tanker skidded off the road, leading to the accident, and within minutes, flames engulfed the spilled fuel.
Authorities confirmed that the victims, both deceased and injured, were immediately transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Incidents of this nature are unfortunately common in Nigeria, a densely populated African nation where petroleum products are often transported by tankers due to a limited pipeline infrastructure.
Poor road conditions and insufficient traffic safety measures contribute to frequent accidents, claiming dozens of lives each year.
