No fewer than 100 people have been reportedly burnt alive in a tanker explosion in Niger State.
Besides those feared dead, no fewer than 50 cattle were burnt in ashes during the accident which happened on the Lapai-Agaie road, Sunday.
NewMailNG gathered that a petrol tanker loaded with petrol collided with another trailer loaded with some passengers and cows, causing a huge explosion.
Villagers who spoke with our correspondent on the phone confirmed that no fewer than 100 people were confirmed burnt in the inferno.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, said 30 people have been confirmed dead while the rescue operation was still going on.
“We counted about 100 people burnt in the accident and the rescue operation is still going on.
“Our people could not go close to the affected vehicles due to the magnitude of the fire, hence the great loss of lives and property,” one of the villagers, Abubakar Agaie confirmed to our correspondent.
“The tragic incident occured in Dendo community in Agaie Local Government Area of the state.
“We (NSEMA) received a report of a deadly tanker explosion that occurred on September 8, 2024, about 12.30a.m., along Lapai-Agaie, 2km from Dendo Community in Agaie LGA .
“The incident occurred when a petrol tanker loaded with PMS collided with a trailer truck loaded with travellers and cattle from Wudil in Kano State, heading to Lagos. Two other vehicles, a crane truck and a pickup van were also caught in the incident.
“No fewer than 30 people are already confirmed dead with over 50 cattle burnt alive and NSEMA’s Rapid Respond Team, RRT, in conjunction with LGEMCs, is still on scene of the incident conducting search and response operation as more corpses were still trapped inside the trucks,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Governor Mohammed Bago of the state has expressed sadness over the loss of lives and property in the explosion.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor said he was pained by the unfortunate incident and the colossal loss recorded.
The governor called for calm by the residents of the affected area and enjoined road users to always be cautious and abide by road traffic regulations to safeguard lives and property.
The governor prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and granted quick recovery to those injured.
