Iran Press/ Africa: According to information, it has emerged that the generator that was powering the trans-loading of petrol from a fallen tanker to another caused the explosion that resulted in the inferno.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, confirmed the death of 50 persons from the petrol tanker explosion that occurred.
The press statement by the Director General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba Arah said "The incident occurred when a tanker loaded with PMS crashed and the drivers made an attempt to transfer its contents to a second tanker.
“In the process, the spilling petrol came in contact with a generator used to power the transfer process.
“It triggered an explosion of flames that has caused over 50 deaths, injured many, and destroyed properties estimated in millions.
"At present, NSEMA, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency, Suleja LGA Emergency Committee, and good-hearted volunteers are carrying out search, rescue, and recovery operations to rescue the injured who have been moved to hospital for treatment and recover the corpses of the deceased,” the statement of the Director General added.
An eyewitness, Bala Kabir told Iran Press correspondent that the number of the dead exceeded.
He said residents of the area, mostly youths, and some women, rushed to the scene to scoop the fuel from the accident tanker, and when they were collecting the fuel, there was a loud explosion from the tanker which resulted in the fire that engulfed the scoopers and the two vehicles.
Bala Kabir emphasized that no one could tell the exact number of the dead as of Saturday while there is news that the wounded ones taken to the hospitals are also dying.
On the other hand, Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps in its statement put the death toll at 70.
“The death toll stands at 70 so far,” Federal Road Safety Corps said in a statement signed by its head in Niger State, Kumar Tsukwam.
“Most of the victims were burnt beyond recognition. A large crowd gathered to scoop the fuel when suddenly the tanker burst into flames, engulfing another tanker. The victims are mostly scavengers." The Federal Road Safety Corps' statement said.
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