The death toll from petrol tanker explosion in Jigawa state has risen to 153, as 100 persons hospitalized, Police in the state said.
The state’s Police Command on Wednesday confirmed the incident, which it occurred on Monday night at about 11:30pm, involving a petrol tanker with registration number KMC 6412 F, driven by one Yusuf Mohammed, 32 years old of Hotoro Quarters, Kano State.
In a statement by DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, spokesman of the Police Command, “the tanker was traveling from Kano to Nguru, Yobe State, when the driver lost control near Khadija University in Majia Town, Taura LGA, causing it to overturn and spill fuel.
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“The petrol entered through the drainage to the outskirts of the village.
“Unfortunately, villagers attempted to scoop petrol from the drainage, resulting in a flame that engulfed the area and many people were reportedly perished.
“Area Commander Ringim, Divisional Police Officer Gujungu and their men swiftly raced to the scene.
“One hundred and five (105) corpses have been evacuated, while 50 injured persons were rushed to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for medical attention.
“The fire was successfully extinguished through the combined efforts of police officers, firefighters, and good Samaritans.
“The Commissioner of Police for Jigawa State, CP AT ABDULLAHI psc, has expressed his condolences to the people of Majia town and the state as a whole, and he prays that the departed souls rest in perfect peace. Additionally, he prayed to the Almighty Allah to prevent such an incident from happening in the near future.
“The CP therefore, cautions the well-meaning citizens of the state to stay away from the area where gas tankers have fallen due to the potential hazards related to petroleum products,” he said.
However, in another statement sent to BizPoint on Thursday morning, the spokesman confirmed that the death toll has risen to 153, while 100 persons had sustained various degree of injuries.
He said the injured victims had been hospitalized in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Jahun General Hospital in Jigawa, Nguru Hospital in Yobe state, Hadejia and Gumel.
“The death toll has risen to 153 with 100 people hospitalized at Aminu Kano, Jahun, Nguru, Hadejia, and Gumel hospitals,” he said in the tersed statement.