The death toll from a petrol tanker explosion after it collided with another articulated vehicle has risen to 59.
The incident happened on Sunday, September 8, along Lapai-Agaie, 2km from Dendo Community in Agaie LGA, Niger State.
The petrol tanker collided with another trailer transporting over 60 people and 50 cows from Kano to Lagos.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Director General, Abdullahi Baba-Arab, said in a statement on Monday, September 9, that more dead bodies may be discovered in the process of continued evacuation.
“The death toll has risen to 59. We lost one of the injured with first-degree burns at the Federal Medical Centre Bida.
“Two locals were taken to a village nearby for burial, and the rest was discovered during evacuation. It’s also possible that more dead bodies could be discovered in the process of the continued evacuation,” Baba-Arab stated.
The Niger State Federal Road Safety Commission, sector commander, Kumar Tsukwam, in his remark on Monday, said the petrol tanker which was coming from Lagos was at high speed and lost brake when the accident occurred.
He said: “The tanker from Lagos on transit to Kano loaded with Fuel was on top speed, lost control, fell down and engulfed with fire. Another trailer that conveyed cows and humans was consequently affected and two other vehicles were behind. All the 4 vehicles got burnt to ashes.
“It was gathered that the trailer that conveyed humans and cows was alerted by one of his passengers of the fire at their front but in response, the driver said it was just a mere tyre that was burning.
“On reaching the engulfed tanker immediately the trailer was also engulfed and consequently the two other vehicles were engulfed leading to the death of 35 persons instantly and two others injured died at the hospital totalled 37.”