The death toll from a gasoline tanker explosion in Nigeria’s north-central region has climbed to 86, according to the country’s emergency response agency. The incident occurred early Saturday near the Suleja area of Niger state, where individuals attempted to transfer fuel from a crashed tanker into another truck using a generator.
The generator reportedly sparked an explosion, killing those involved in the fuel transfer along with bystanders.
Hussaini Isah, a spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed Sunday that 55 others sustained injuries and are being treated at hospitals in Suleja.
“There were people burned to ashes. How can we get that figure?” Isah told The Associated Press, suggesting that the death toll could rise further. “We won’t know the exact figure without forensics.”
The explosion’s impact was worsened by a crowd that had gathered at the scene, including bystanders, people attempting to scoop gasoline, and others taking pictures, officials said.
Gasoline prices in Nigeria have surged since President Bola Tinubu’s administration removed subsidies over a year ago to reallocate funds toward development projects. The policy, however, has increased financial strain for many Nigerians.
In Nigeria, it is common for individuals to scoop fuel from overturned tankers, seeing it as an opportunity to obtain free gasoline for personal use or resale, despite the associated risks.
