Eighty-Six persons have been reported burnt to death in a petrol tanker detached from its head and fell near roadside shanties in Dikko Niger State which resulted in an explosion, while the fuel-laden tanker, was said to belong to HMY Oil and Gas.
Penpushing reports that the incident was reported to have occurred on Saturday and as at Sunday during a visit to the scene, fuel still dripping from the fallen tanker, while number of the corpses as at the time of filing this report have been buried.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Director-General, Abdullahi Baba-Arah explained that the bodies were recovered and buried in a coordinated effort by the agency, Gurara local government area authorities, and volunteers.
Penpushing further reports that Baba-Arah, disclosed that the mass burial was done on Saturday between 5 p.m. and midnight, and expressed appreciation to volunteers who helped in the burial process, including evacuating the bodies from the accident scene.
The Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kumar Tsukwam, explained that the tanker, with registration number KBG-103-XAX, was loaded with 60,000 litres of petrol in Lagos and was heading to Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Penpushing also reports that he stated that the fuel-laden tanker, belonging to HMY Oil and Gas, detached from its head and fell near roadside shanties in Dikko around 7 a.m, and thereafter exploded two hours later killing scores and injuring others.
The Head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) operational office in Minna, Niger State, , Hussaini Isah when contacted said efforts would be made to cordon off the scene, where scavengers were sighted rummaging the shanties gutted by the fire.
Penpushing reports that Isah said the agency had contacted the police and informed them about the spill, adding that the fire service and other emergency workers had been put on standby.
“We have contacted the police and informed them about the spill. The police will come to disperse the people there. We will get cordoning tape to seal off the place,” he assured.
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