On 15 October 2024, a fuel tanker exploded in Majiya, Jigawa State, Nigeria, killing at least 170 people and injuring 70 others.[1][2][3]
| Date | 15 October 2024 |
|---|---|
| Time | ~11 p.m. (UTC Offset +01:00) |
| Location | Majiya, Jigawa State, Nigeria |
| Deaths | 170+ |
| Non-fatal injuries | 70 |
Explosion
editThe involved tanker came from Kano and had driven around 110 kilometers on its way to Yobe State on 15 October.[4][5] While traveling on an expressway near the town of Majiya in Jigawa State, the tanker overturned while attempting to avoid crashing into a truck, causing petrol to spill onto the road. Many villagers came to the scene and tried to scoop up the spilled petrol. Within minutes, a fire started and an explosion followed. Video footage showed a massive fire stretching along a large area overnight with burned bodies visible. The fire went out the next day on 16 October.[4][6][7]
Aftermath
editHaruna Mairiga, the head of the Emergency Management Agency in Jigawa State, said that a mass burial took place for the dead.[6][4] Police spokesman Lawan Shiisu Adam stated that at least 100 people, many critically, were injured by the explosion and were taken to hospitals in the towns of Ringim and Hadejia.[6] The Nigerian Medical Association urged doctors to go to nearby emergency facilities.[4]
On 17 October mass funerals were organized.[5]
Reactions
editThe Senate of Nigeria held a moment of silence. Vice President Kashim Shettima requested a safety review and said that the federal government would send resources to support the affected people.[4]
President Bola Tinubu later said the review will be "swift and comprehensive“. He stated it will be will carried out together with multiple state authorities and that offenders of the new regulations will be punished. Tinubu sent senior government officials including the ministers of defense and transportation to the disaster site, together with food aid and medical supplies.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Death toll rises to 170 from Nigeria fuel tanker explosion". Firstpost. October 18, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ "Tears as Jigawa buries 153 tanker explosion victims". The Punch. October 16, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ Abubakar, Mansur (October 16, 2024). "Fire kills 147 people after fuel tanker crash in Nigeria". BBC News. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Nigeria fuel tanker explosion kills at least 140, injures dozens". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
- ^ a b "Mass funerals held for over 150 killed in Nigeria fuel tanker explosion". Al Jazeera.
- ^ a b c "Fuel tanker accident kills at least 147 in Nigeria". Reuters. 2024-10-16.
- ^ "Fuel Tanker Explosion Leaves at Least 90 Dead in Nigeria". The New York Times. 2024-10-16.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Nigeria to review gasoline transport safety protocols after deadly blast". Voice of America. October 17, 2024.