A tragic accident in Majiya Town, Taura local government area of Jigawa State, has left over 90 people dead and 50 others seriously injured. The incident occurred late Tuesday night when a petrol tanker exploded after the driver lost control of the vehicle near Khadija University.
The tanker, which was transporting petrol from Kano and heading to Nguru in Yobe State, veered off the road and caused the explosion that rocked the town. According to Mr. Shi’isu Adam, the Police Spokesperson for Jigawa State, the accident happened around 11:30 p.m., with devastating consequences.
The tanker driver, traveling along a major route, reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn and spill its highly flammable load. Within moments, the petrol ignited, causing a massive explosion that could be heard from miles away. The explosion quickly engulfed the area, trapping those nearby.
One of the major reasons for the high death toll was the gathering of people at the accident scene. Despite warnings from the police, many residents came close to the overturned tanker out of curiosity or to assist, only to be caught in the blast when the petrol ignited. Mr. Adam expressed deep concern over this, saying, “Despite repeated police warnings for people to stay away from fuel tanker accidents, many still gathered at the site, leading to the high number of casualties.”
More than 90 people have been confirmed dead, with emergency teams working tirelessly through the night to recover bodies from the scene. Many of the victims were burnt beyond recognition due to the intensity of the fire caused by the explosion.
In addition to the tragic loss of life, 50 other individuals sustained serious injuries, ranging from burns to other forms of trauma. These injured victims were immediately rushed to Ringim General Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. Medical personnel are battling to save their lives, with some of the victims in critical condition due to the severity of their injuries.
Due to the scale of the tragedy, the authorities have organized a mass burial for the victims, scheduled to take place at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The local community has been left in shock and grief as they come to terms with the scale of the disaster.
The authorities, including local government officials and the police, continue to emphasize the importance of keeping away from accident scenes, especially those involving fuel tankers. Petrol tanker accidents are highly dangerous, as fuel is extremely flammable, and even a small spark can lead to catastrophic explosions like the one witnessed in Majiya Town.
This tragic accident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with fuel transportation across Nigeria, where such incidents are sadly not uncommon. The authorities are urging the public to heed safety warnings and stay clear of accident scenes to prevent further loss of life in the future. More efforts are also being called for to improve road safety and tanker maintenance, as many accidents of this nature are caused by poor vehicle conditions or reckless driving.
The government and safety agencies are also discussing new measures to prevent tanker-related accidents. Improved driver training, stricter road regulations, and faster emergency response are some of the proposals being considered to reduce such tragedies. However, authorities stress that public awareness and cooperation remain crucial in saving lives during accidents.
For the people of Majiya Town, this is a dark day, and the thoughts of the entire nation are with the families of the victims. The government has assured the public that it will provide support to those affected by the accident.
