A tragic incident occurred in the town of Majiya, located within Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, where no fewer than 90 people lost their lives following a petrol tanker explosion on Tuesday night.
The Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Shi’isu Adam, confirmed the devastating event during an interview with journalists on Wednesday.
In addition to the confirmed fatalities, Adam disclosed that at least 50 individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment.
The injured were rushed to the Ringim General Hospital, where medical personnel are working to stabilize them.
The tragic accident unfolded around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday when the tanker, en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control near Khadija University in Majiya Town.
The driver, unable to regain control of the vehicle, crashed, and the tanker exploded, causing a massive fire that resulted in a high number of casualties.
Despite repeated warnings from the police and safety authorities, residents gathered around the accident scene, which led to the alarming death toll.
Mr. Adam expressed frustration over the public’s disregard for safety protocols in such situations. “We are concerned that even though we regularly warn people to stay away from accident sites involving fuel tankers, they still gather around.
”This is a major reason for the high number of casualties,” he lamented.
The police spokesperson also announced that arrangements had been made for a mass burial to take place at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, given the scale of the tragedy. Meanwhile, local authorities and first responders have been working tirelessly to recover the victims and ensure the injured receive urgent medical care.
The tanker explosion has plunged the community into mourning, with many families grieving the loss of loved ones. Efforts are ongoing to manage the aftermath of the disaster, while officials continue to warn residents to avoid gathering near accident scenes, especially when hazardous materials like fuel are involved.
This incident underscores the dangers associated with accidents involving fuel tankers and highlights the importance of adhering to safety instructions. The authorities are calling for heightened public awareness to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
