At least 48 people have been killed in a devastating accident in central Nigeria’s Niger State after a fuel tanker collided with a lorry carrying passengers and cattle, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) reported.
The collision occurred around 00:30 local time (01:30 GMT) on Sunday, triggering a massive explosion that engulfed both vehicles in flames. Abdullahi Baba-arah, Director-General of NSEMA, confirmed that emergency response teams were promptly dispatched to the scene to manage the aftermath of the disaster.
The explosion affected several other vehicles, intensifying the scale of the tragedy. Footage from the scene shows the charred remains of the tanker and lorry, alongside the lifeless bodies of passengers and cattle caught in the blaze.
Emergency rescue workers, speaking to Reuters, described ongoing efforts to recover the bodies of the victims and the deceased animals still trapped within the wreckage.
A mass burial for the victims is currently underway, according to state media reports. Niger State Governor Umaru Bago expressed his condolences, stating he was “pained by the unfortunate incident” and extended his sympathy to the grieving families.
Fuel tanker accidents and explosions are frequent in Nigeria, often attributed to the country’s deteriorating road conditions.
