The death toll from Saturday’s petrol tanker explosion in Niger State has risen to 98, with 69 people injured and 20 shops completely destroyed, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday morning when a speeding fuel tanker crashed, spilling its contents onto the road.
Local residents rushed to scoop the fuel, but the tanker caught fire, leading to a catastrophic explosion that claimed numerous lives.
In a statement released on Monday, the Director General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the updated figures.
“More deaths have been recorded from the fire incident. The latest figure is now 98 deaths, 69 injured, and 20 shops burnt down,” he said.
Condolences have been pouring in from across the country, including from former President Muhammadu Buhari, who expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property.