By Ayodele Oni
Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Niger state where no fewer than 50 persons lost their lives in a petrol tanker explosion on Saturday along Dikko-Maje Road in the Suleja Local Government Area.
Several others sustained various degrees of injury in the incident.
The victims were engulfed by the explosion while trying to scoop fuel after a petrol tanker spilled its contents when it fell along the highway.
The Federal Road Safety Commander in Niger State, Kumar Tsukwam, has confirmed the disaster.
Speaking in Mina, the Niger State capital on Saturday, Tsukwarm said a loaded petrol tanker fell at the scene of the incident, with people scooping the spilled fuel, unaware of the impending danger.
Tsukwam said those who went to scoop fuel were engulfed by the flames, just as those who went to rescue them were also affected.
According to him, “More than 50 people lost their lives in the tragic incident.”
He, however, assured that personnel of the corps and other sister agencies were on the ground for the rescue mission.
Similarly, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, said the explosion occurred at about 9 am on Saturday.
He said the incident happened when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit crashed, and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another tanker.
Baba-Arah stated that in the process, the PMS came into contact with a generator used to effect the transfer, triggering an explosion that claimed over 50 lives.
He added that many other persons were injured, while properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
Baba-Arah said NSEMA, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Suleja LGA Emergency Committee, and volunteers, are currently carrying out search, rescue, and recovery operations.
He said, “Those injured have been moved to the hospital for treatment while efforts are being made to recover the corpses of the deceased.”
He urged residents of the area to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders as they work to mitigate the effects of the disaster.
Reacting, Niger state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, expressed shock over the accident, describing it as a heartbreaking and unfortunate.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor said, “this is a national tragedy, worrisome, heartbreaking and unfortunate”.
He sympathised with the families of the victims of the explosion and prays that Allah will repose the souls of the departed and heal the injured.
He cautioned the people to always be responsible and give priority to their safety.
He directed all the relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to do what is necessary while urging the security agents to ensure security in the area.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
