A tragic gasoline tanker explosion in Nigeria has claimed 86 lives, highlighting the country’s ongoing fuel scarcity issues and socio-economic challenges.
At a Glance
- 86 people killed in a gasoline tanker explosion near Suleja area of Niger state, Nigeria
- Explosion caused by attempt to transfer gasoline from crashed tanker using a generator
- 55 additional people injured and receiving treatment at local hospitals
- Incident linked to fuel scarcity and recent removal of gasoline subsidies
- President Bola Tinubu orders national campaign to raise awareness about dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers
Deadly Explosion Highlights Ongoing Fuel Crisis
A devastating gasoline tanker explosion in central Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of at least 86 people, shedding light on the country’s persistent fuel scarcity issues and the desperate measures some citizens take to obtain gasoline. The incident occurred near the Suleja area of Niger state, where a crowd had gathered around a crashed oil tanker carrying 60,000 liters of gasoline.
The explosion was triggered by an ill-fated attempt to transfer gasoline from the overturned tanker using a generator. The blast claimed the lives of those involved in the transfer as well as bystanders who had gathered at the scene. Many victims were burned beyond recognition, complicating efforts to determine the exact death toll.
The National Emergency Management Agency reported that in addition to the 86 confirmed deaths, 55 people were injured and are currently receiving treatment at three hospitals in the Suleja area. The severity of the incident was underscored by Ibrahim Audu Husseini, who stated, “We buried 86 burnt corpses between 12:00 pm yesterday to 2:00 am of today.”
“There were people that were burnt to ashes. How can we get that figure?” Hussaini Isah said. “We won’t know the exact figure without forensics.”
The true extent of the tragedy may be even greater, as some victims were completely incinerated, making identification and accurate counting impossible without forensic analysis.
Fuel Scarcity and Economic Pressures
This tragic event occurs against the backdrop of Nigeria’s ongoing fuel crisis. Recent policy changes by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of gasoline subsidies, have led to a sharp increase in fuel prices. As a result, many Nigerians view incidents like tanker crashes as opportunities to obtain free fuel, despite the obvious dangers.
The practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers is alarmingly common in Nigeria, reflecting the economic hardships faced by many citizens. This latest incident serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with such desperate measures. In 2020 alone, Nigeria recorded 1,531 fuel tanker accidents, resulting in over 535 deaths.
In response to the tragedy, President Tinubu expressed “deep sorrow over the fuel tanker explosion” and emphasized the preventable nature of such incidents.
The President has ordered a national campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, aiming to prevent future occurrences of this nature.