The tragedy is the latest similar incident in Nigeria, at a time when gasoline has become a precious commodity in Africa’s most populous country, which is experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation. read more
A fuel tanker explosion in northern Nigeria’s Jigawa state has killed more than 170 people and left another 70 in intensive care in hospital, police said Friday. The accident was one of the worst in recent years in Africa’s most populous country, which is grappling with widespread security threats and a cost of living crisis.
Late on Tuesday, an explosion struck a crowd rushing to recover spilled fuel from a crashed tanker in Maziya town, Jigawa state. The death toll stands at 170, with 70 people in intensive care at federal medical centers in Azare, Nguu and Birnin Kudu, Deputy Police Superintendent Lawan Sisu Adamu said in a statement.
It added that other hospitals were also treating the injured.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest country, is facing a gasoline crisis made worse by the worst economic downturn in a generation. Fuel prices have soared more than fivefold since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office in May 2023, leaving many people struggling to access petrol.
The country’s inflation rate peaked at more than 30% for several months, hitting 34.19% in June, the highest level in nearly 30 years, before falling to 32.7% in September.
More than half (56%) of Nigerians live below the poverty line, up from 40% in 2018, according to a World Bank report released on Thursday.
At least 59 people were killed in the country last month when a fuel tanker collided with a truck carrying passengers and livestock in northwestern Niger state.
