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Revision as of 17:36, 18 January 2025 by Noble Attempt (talk | contribs) (Created article for mass casualty event involving tanker explosion in Nigeria based on red link on current events page)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Date | 18 January 2025 (2025-01-18) |
|---|---|
| Time | ~10:00 a.m. (UTC Offset +01:00) |
| Location | near Suleja, Niger State, Nigeria |
| Type | Tank truck explosion |
| Cause | Petrol explosion and fire |
| Deaths | 70 |
| Non-fatal injuries | Several |
| Property damage | Millions of Naira |
The 2025 Niger State tanker explosion occurred on January 18, 2025, at the Dikko junction near Suleja, Niger State, northern Nigeria, resulting in at least 70 fatalities. The incident occurred when a fuel tanker carrying 60,000 liters of gasoline overturned, leading to a catastrophic explosion after local residents gathered to collect spilled fuel.
Explosion
The explosion took place around 10:00 AM local time (09:00 GMT) at the Dikko junction along the major highway connecting Nigeria's federal capital of Abuja to the northern city of Kaduna. According to Kumar Tsukwam, head of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger State, the incident began when a tanker truck carrying gasoline overturned, spilling its contents. Local residents who had gathered to collect the spilled fuel were caught in the subsequent explosion. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) reported that the catastrophic explosion occurred when spilled petrol came into contact with a generator being used to facilitate the fuel transfer process.
Aftermath
The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that at least 70 bodies were recovered from the scene, with most victims burned beyond recognition. Many of the victims were reportedly attempting to collect spilled fuel from the tanker at the time of the explosion. Niger State Governor Umaru Bago reported that an undisclosed number of additional victims suffered various degrees of burns. The explosion and subsequent fire caused extensive property damage, with losses estimated in the millions of naira.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency, under Director General Abdullahi Baba-Arah, conducted initial investigations into the cause of the explosion.
References
- ^ Adeniyi, Kabir (18 January 2025). "60 killed in Nigeria's petrol tanker blast". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2025-01-18.
- ^ "Fuel tanker truck explosion kills at least 70 people in Nigeria". Al Arabiya English. 2025-01-18. Retrieved 2025-01-18.