Fuel tanker explosion leaves 59 dead in Niger State disaster

The death of 59 people has been confirmed in Niger State, central Nigeria after a fuel tanker collided with a truck carrying passengers and cattle, the state emergency management agency reported.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency reported that the collision occurred on Sunday around 7:30 PM local time. As a result of the explosion, both vehicles were destroyed.

The agency's general director, Abdullahi Baba-arah, stated that rescue teams were sent to the site to control the situation. A few other vehicles were also affected by the explosion.

Hussain Ibrahim, a spokesperson for Niger's crisis unit, told the BBC that the death toll might still rise.

The death toll increased to 59 after one of the severely injured people died in the hospital, and more bodies were found at the accident site.

It's also possible that more dead bodies could be discovered in the process of the continued evacuation, said Hussain Ibrahim.

In recordings from the accident site, taken shortly after the accident, you can see two completely burnt vehicles and several dead cattle. After the disaster, a rescuer said they were trying to retrieve bodies and dead animals still in the vehicle.

Most of the victims' funerals took place on Sunday. "This without doubt is the worst accident we have recorded in many years," said Ibrahim, emphasizing that the Niger State government covers the hospital treatment costs for the injured.

In a condolence message to the victims' families, Governor Umaru Bago said he was "shocked by this unfortunate incident."

Fuel tanker explosions and accidents are common in Nigeria, partly due to the poor condition of the roads.