A tragic accident in Nigeria has claimed the lives of at least 48 people after a fuel tanker collided head-on with another truck, resulting in a devastating explosion. The incident occurred in the Agaie area of north-central Niger state, where the fuel tanker, which was also transporting cattle, burst into flames, causing the death of approximately 50 animals.
Emergency response teams are currently engaged in search and rescue operations at the site of the collision. Initially, 30 bodies were recovered, but an additional 18 victims who perished in the fiery crash were later discovered. The deceased have been laid to rest in a mass burial.
Niger state Governor Mohammed Bago has urged residents in the affected area to remain calm and has emphasized the importance of adhering to road traffic regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Tragically, fatal truck accidents are a common occurrence on Nigeria's major roads due to the lack of an efficient railway system for cargo transportation. In 2020 alone, there were 1,531 gasoline tanker crashes in the country, resulting in 535 fatalities and 1,142 injuries, according to Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps.
