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A fuel tanker exploded overnight in northern Nigeria, killing at least 153 people who rushed to the scene to collect leaking gasoline, authorities said.
An overturned vehicle was engulfed in fire as it was cordoned off by police after a collision in Jigawa state, police told the BBC.
About 100 other people were injured in the explosion and taken to area hospitals, many in critical condition.
After the accident late Tuesday night, police officers had warned people to stay away from the tanker, but were unable to control the growing crowd, police spokesperson Lawal Seeth Adam said.
He told the BBC: “We tried our best to stop people from going to their cars to get petrol, but despite sealing off the area, our forces were overwhelming and people were scavenging for fuel. While we were there, a fire broke out.”
According to him, the accident occurred in the town of Maika at around 23:30 local time (22:30 GMT).
“The fuel tanker was coming from Kano and heading towards Nguru in Yobe state when the driver lost control of the vehicle.”
The driver was not injured and was taken into custody while police investigated.
In a message of condolence to the families of the victims, Vice President Kassim Shettima called for a comprehensive review of safety protocols for fuel transport across Nigeria.
A harrowing video showing the moments after the fire broke out has been shared on social media.
“Following the incident, the fire department and other emergency forces rushed to the scene to assist,” Adam said.
Many of the victims were burned beyond recognition. The recovered bodies were covered with tree branches to protect them from onlookers.
Rescue workers have found more bodies, some far from the accident site. A police spokesperson told the BBC that they were probably trying to get help before they were injured.
Most of those who died were buried in mass ceremonies.
Fuel tanker explosions and accidents occur frequently in Nigeria, often due to poor road conditions and poor vehicle maintenance.
While the removal work was underway in Jigawa, a fuel tanker accident also occurred in Ibafo town in southwestern Ogun state.
It overturned on the main road in front of a commercial bank Wednesday morning, spilling gasoline and bursting into flames.
The fire ravaged the area and also damaged other trucks. No one was injured in the incident, but it is estimated that thousands of dollars worth of damage was caused.
In September, 59 people were killed when a fuel tanker collided with a truck carrying passengers and livestock in Nigeria’s Niger state.
Additional reporting from the BBC’s Andrew Gift in Ibafo.
