The explosion that led to the Niger inferno tragedy has been attributed to the generator used to power the transloading of petrol from a fallen tanker to another, Vanguard reports.
By the time the fire was done, no fewer than 50 petrol scoopers were burnt beyond recognition.
While some agencies put the casualty figures at 70, others say 77. However, many others were rushed to hospitals with severe burns.
The Niger State Emergency Managent Agency, NSEMA, confirmed the death of 50 persons from the petrol tanker explosion that occured in Dikko-Maje road in Niger state today.
A statement by the Director-General of the Agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, said the explosion took place at about 9 a m. along Dikko-Maje Road, opposite Baddegi Filling Station.
“The incident occurred when a tanker loaded with PMS crashed, and an attempt was made by the drivers to transfer its contents to a second tanker.
“In the process, the spilling petrol came in contact with a generator that was used to power the transfer process.
“It triggered an explosion of flames that has caused over 50 deaths, injured many and destroyed properties estimated in millions.
“At present, NSEMA, in collaboration with NEMA, Suleja LGA Emergency Committee, and good-hearted volunteers are carrying out search, rescue and recovery operation to rescue the injured who have been moved to hospital for treatment and recover the copses of the deceased,” the statement added.
An eyewitness in the area told Vanguard that as the transfer of fuel into the new truck was about to begin, residents of the area, mostly youths and some women, rushed to the scene to scoop spilled fuel.
“As the scooping continued, there was a loud explosion from the tanker, which immediately resulted in wild fire that engulfed the scoopers and the two vehicles.
“Those mostly trapped were the youths, who turned deaf ears to the calls from people around, of the dangers inherent in their action.
“And in the twinkle of an eye, many of them including women were trapped and roasted beyond recognition,” the eye witness declared.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, put the death toll at 70.
“The death toll stands at 70 so far,” Kumar Tsukwam, the head of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Niger State, told newsmen.
“Most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition,” Tsukwam said. “We are at the scene to clear things up.”
An FSRC statement added: “A large crowd of people gathered to scoop the fuel” when “suddenly the tanker burst into flames, engulfing another tanker”.
“So far 60 corpses recovered from scene, the victims are mostly scavengers,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, said 77 persons died in the taker explosion fire.
He confirmed this death toll to Channels TV in a telephone conversation.
According to Baba-Arah, 25 injured victims were rushed to various hospitals in Suleja, Wuse, and nearby health facilities for urgent medical attention.
