Iran Press/Africa: According to eyewitnesses, the disaster occurred after the driver of the petrol tanker lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash. As fuel spilled across the surrounding area, hundreds of people rushed to the scene to collect the free-flowing petrol. Moments later, the tanker exploded, engulfing the crowd in flames and debris.
Musa Idris, a local resident who lost his eldest son in the explosion, described the chaos that unfolded. “There were over a thousand people at the scene when the tanker exploded. We tried to warn people not to go near, but the crowd was too large, and they overpowered the police who were present,” he told Al Jazeera. “The explosion was massive, and bodies were scattered everywhere. More than 150 people died on the spot, and over 200 were taken to hospitals.”
Local officials moved swiftly to bury the victims in a mass grave on Wednesday afternoon. The atmosphere was one of overwhelming grief and shock as families mourned their loved ones.
Fatima Grema, a student at Khadija University in Majia, shared her sorrow over the loss of life. “It is devastating. Many of our friends and relatives were among those at the scene. This is a tragic day for Majia town. May Allah have mercy on the souls of the departed,” she said.
Victims who survived the explosion were initially treated at local hospitals, including Ringim General Hospital in Jigawa State. However, due to the severity of their injuries, many were later transferred to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in neighboring Kano State, where they are currently receiving critical care.
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