Death toll from Niger petrol tanker explosion rises to 86

The death toll from the petrol tanker explosion in Gurara LGA of Niger state has increased to 86.

In a statement on Sunday, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, director-general of Niger State Emergency Management Agency, said several bodies have been recovered from the scene of the explosion.

Baba-Arah said the number of persons injured has increased to 55.

He added that the agency in collaboration with Gurara LGA officials has conducted a mass burial for 80 persons.

“A total of 86 persons have been confirmed dead, with their corpses recovered and buried,” he said.

“Eighty of them were buried in a mass grave at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre premises, while five were taken by their relatives for burial in the town, and one died at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre.

“The mass burial was carried out by NSEMA in collaboration with Gurara LGA and courageous volunteers between the hours of 5pm and midnight.

“The number of injured now stands at 55, with one death recorded at Dikko PHC.”

The explosion occurred on Saturday when a tanker conveying petrol crashed and another tanker was brought to transfer the contents.

Reports suggest that residents were scooping petrol when the explosion occurred.

Earlier in the month, at least two people reportedly died in a petrol tanker explosion in Agbor Town in Ika LGA of Delta state.