By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has disclosed that over 70 died and over 56 injured in the tanker explosion in Niger State on Saturday.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday along Dikko-Maje Road opposite Baddegi Station.
The agency, while stating that most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition, added that the injured have been taken to hospitals.
According to NEMA, the explosion occurred after a tanker loaded with PMS crashed and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another.
The agency said an emergency rescue team has been deployed to Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Niger State, following a tragic tanker fire explosion.
The statement by the Agency reads: “According to reports, the explosion occurred after the crashing of a tanker loaded with PMS and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another.
“In the process, the spilt PMS came in contact with the generator being used to power the transfer, triggering the inferno that claimed over 70 lives, injured more than 56 persons, and destroyed shops and property.
“While most of the deaths were burnt beyond recognition, the injured persons have been evacuated to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention. Most of the victims were members of the community and passers-by. However, the rescue evacuation is still ongoing”.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar while expressing sympathy for the victims and their families, condemned the act of poor
handling of spilled tankers.
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