A tragic accident in northwestern Nigeria has claimed the lives of over 150 people, including children, and left dozens more injured. The incident occurred when an overturned fuel tanker exploded on an expressway in Jigawa State. Following the crash, people rushed to the scene to collect the spilled fuel, a common practice in Nigeria due to the high cost of fuel following the government’s removal of gas subsidies.
Tanker accidents are not uncommon in Nigeria, which lacks an efficient railway system for cargo transportation. This latest accident took place in Majiya town when the driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a massive inferno that left many bodies unrecognizable. Emergency services have conducted mass burials for the victims, most of whom were burned to ashes at the scene.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by fuel tanker accidents in Nigeria, with over 1,500 incidents reported in 2020 alone, leading to 535 deaths. The government has faced criticism for its failure to implement effective safety measures and traffic regulations to prevent such tragedies.
As the nation mourns the loss of so many lives in this devastating accident, questions are being raised about the need for stricter safety protocols and enforcement of traffic laws to prevent future disasters. The community is left reeling from the loss of so many lives, including innocent children, in this heartbreaking incident.
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