A tragic petrol tanker explosion in Majiya, Jigawa State, has left 105 people dead, with 55 injured. The incident occurred when the tanker lost control.
A devastating petrol tanker explosion in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, has resulted in the confirmed deaths of at least 105 people.
The tragic incident occurred late on Tuesday night when the driver of the tanker lost control of the vehicle, causing a deadly explosion near Khadija University.
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The police spokesperson for the state, Shiisu Adam, confirmed the casualty figures in a telephone interview, explaining that about 55 people had also sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The injured are currently receiving medical treatment at Ringim General Hospital, although some have been transferred to Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kudu due to limited hospital capacity.
“As I am talking to you now, the casualty figure is about 105 and the number of injured is 55 as against the 50 earlier confirmed,” Shiisu Adam reported.
The tanker was en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State when it veered out of control and exploded at approximately 11:30 pm on Tuesday night.
Tragically, in the aftermath of the explosion, many individuals who rushed to the scene to collect petrol were caught in the fire, which led to a significant increase in the death toll.
Due to the severity of the explosion and the extent of burns sustained by many victims, authorities are preparing for a mass burial, as many of the deceased were burnt beyond recognition.
This incident marks a significant tragedy for the people of Jigawa State, and local authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
