At Least 48 People Killed in Nigeria Explosion Following Fuel Tanker and Truck Collision

A devastating collision between a fuel tanker and a truck in Nigeria has resulted in a massive explosion, leaving at least 48 people dead, according to the country’s emergency response agency.

The fuel tanker, which was also transporting cattle, crashed in the Agaie area of north-central Niger state. At least 50 cattle were killed in the explosion, said Abdullahi Baba-Arab, director-general of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency. He mentioned that search and rescue efforts were ongoing at the site of the incident.

Initially, Baba-Arab reported the discovery of 30 bodies, but later confirmed that an additional 18 victims who were burned in the crash had been found. The deceased were laid to rest in a mass burial.

Niger state Governor Mohammed Bago urged residents to remain calm and encouraged road users to follow traffic laws to ensure safety on the roads.

Truck accidents with tragic outcomes are frequent on Nigeria’s major highways, given the lack of a reliable rail system for cargo transportation in Africa’s most populous nation.

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