30 feared dead, 40 injured in Niger State tanker explosion

By Wole Mosadomi, Minna

No less than 30 radical were reportedly killed and astir 40 others injured aft a substance tanker exploded portion residents were scooping petrol successful Niger State.

The mishap occurred astir 11 americium yesterday astatine the Essan and Badeggi communities connected the Bida-Agaie roadworthy successful the Katcha section authorities of the state.

An eyewitness confirmed to our analogous that the victims were trapped portion scrambling to scoop substance from the mishap tanker.

“The affected victims were trapped portion scooping the petroleum merchandise from the tanker. While they were scooping the product, the tanker exploded, thereby burning galore of the victims beyond recognition, portion the injured were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, for treatment.

Chairman of the State Tanker Drivers and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) National Ex-Officio, Comrade Farouk Mohammed Kawo, confirmed the incidental to journalists successful Minna.

“Reports sent to america indicated that the tanker was coming from Lagos and heading to the bluish portion earlier the bittersweet incidental occurred.

“Within this period (October) alone, implicit 30 tanker trailers had been progressive successful assorted accidents successful that peculiar country due to the fact that of the precise atrocious quality of the road.

“We person ever educated the people, particularly the youth, connected the information inherent successful scooping substance during immoderate accident, but they would not listen.

“Just past Sunday, a tanker carrying groundnut lipid had an mishap successful the area, and residents successful the area, particularly the youth, rushed to the country and started scooping the product.

He appealed to the national authorities to urgently intervene connected the roadworthy to debar changeless accidents starring to the discarded of lives and properties worthy millions of naira.

The Bida-Agaie-Lapai roadworthy had been a decease trap to motorists, particularly tankers, due to the fact that of the failed road, which had been lingering for years.

Meanwhile, the authorities governor, Muhammed Umaru Bago, has extended his deepest condolences to the radical of Essa, Katcha section authorities area, implicit the incident.

In a connection done his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the Governor described the incidental arsenic worrisome, unfortunate, and pathetic.

“This is yet different painful, difficult, and tragic 1 for the radical and the authorities government.”

“It is disheartening however radical person continued to attack a fallen tanker to scoop its contents contempt respective sensitisations connected the information of specified action. I deliberation the radical should worth their lives nary substance the concern much than worldly things,” helium declared.

The Governor commended the absorption and unit of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) for its punctual intervention, assuring that the authorities authorities done applicable MDAs volition supply the needed support.

The station 30 feared dead, 40 injured successful Niger State tanker explosion appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.