Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
A tanker exploded in Nigeria after it crashed, killing 77 people who rushed to collect fuel from the scene, authorities said.
A tanker overturned and spilled its contents in the Suleja area of north-central Niger on Saturday.
It exploded moments after people began pumping in fuel, killing dozens and injuring 25, including rescue workers, officials said.
Fuel tanker explosions and accidents are a common occurrence in the country – often caused by poor road conditions and poorly maintained vehicles.
The victims of Saturday’s explosion are being treated in nearby hospitals, the Emergency Situations Agency said.
A number of similar incidents have occurred in Nigeria in recent months.
Two weeks ago, at least five people were killed when a petrol tanker crashed in oil-rich Delta state. at least 153 people died in an explosion while trying to clean up a gasoline spill in October.
Fuel prices have risen more than 400% in the past 18 months following Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s bold economic policies, including the removal of long-standing fuel subsidies.
The changes have left millions of people in poverty, with many forced to resort to desperate measures to survive.
The government has stated that its policy is aimed at strengthening the economy.
