A tragic collision between a fuel tanker and a truck carrying people and cattle in the Agaie area of north-central Niger state in Nigeria has resulted in at least 48 deaths according to the country’s emergency response agency. The fuel tanker explosion also claimed the lives of at least 50 cattle, which were burned alive in the accident. Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing at the scene, with 30 bodies initially recovered, and another 18 victims later identified and given a mass burial.
Niger state’s Governor Mohammed Bago urged residents to remain calm and stressed the importance of following road traffic regulations to prevent such tragic incidents in the future. Fatal truck accidents are unfortunately common in Nigeria due to factors such as reckless driving, poor road conditions, and poorly maintained vehicles. In 2020 alone, there were 1,531 petrol tanker crashes resulting in 535 fatalities and 1,142 injuries, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps.
The recent increase in petrol prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has caused shortages, leading to long queues at gas stations in major cities and towns. With an inefficient railway system for cargo transport, the reliance on trucks for transportation contributes to the frequency of fatal accidents on major roads in Nigeria, a country with over 220 million residents. Authorities are urging road users to exercise caution and adhere to safety regulations to prevent further tragedies on Nigeria’s roads.
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