At least 48 people have lost their lives in Niger state, central Nigeria, after a fuel tanker collided with a lorry carrying passengers and cattle, leading to a devastating explosion. The crash occurred around 00:30 local time (01:30 GMT) on Sunday, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.
The explosion engulfed both vehicles, with footage showing the charred remains of the vehicles and numerous dead cattle. Several other vehicles were also affected by the explosion. Emergency response teams were dispatched to manage the situation and recover bodies and dead animals from the wreckage.
A mass burial for the victims is underway, while Governor Umaru Bago expressed his condolences to the families, describing the incident as deeply painful.
Fuel tanker explosions and road accidents are tragically frequent in Nigeria, exacerbated by the country’s deteriorating road infrastructure.
