Death toll in Nigeria gas tanker explosion rises to 98

The death toll from a gasoline tanker explosion in north-central Nigeria has risen to 98, according to the country’s emergency response agency. The tragedy occurred early Saturday near the Suleja area in Niger state, when individuals attempted to transfer gasoline from a crashed oil tanker into another truck using a generator. The sparks from the generator ignited the fuel, causing a massive explosion that killed not only the people involved in the transfer but also bystanders.

Hussaini Isah, the National Emergency Management Agency’s head of operations for Niger State, told the Associated Press that the death toll could still increase as rescue teams continue their work. “The death toll keeps changing,” Isah explained. The incident has drawn attention due to the large number of victims, many of whom had gathered at the scene, including those taking photos, bystanders, and people trying to scoop gasoline from the tanker.

Gasoline siphoning from overturned tankers has become a relatively common practice in Nigeria, with many people seeing it as an opportunity to obtain free fuel, which they can either use themselves or sell for profit. However, this dangerous behavior has often resulted in tragic accidents, as it did on Saturday. The explosion, which led to a high death toll, underscores the peril of such practices. The disaster also highlights the desperation among some Nigerians, driven by the soaring prices of fuel following a policy shift by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Since the government removed fuel subsidies more than a year ago, gasoline prices in Nigeria have skyrocketed. The subsidy removal was intended to redirect funds towards developmental projects, but it has led to severe economic hardship for many Nigerians. As the cost of living increases, many people have turned to unsafe methods, such as siphoning fuel from fallen tankers, to cope with the financial strain. Unfortunately, this has resulted in multiple accidents, with devastating consequences.

In addition to the immediate loss of life, the explosion has sparked further debates about Nigeria’s energy policies, particularly the subsidy removal. While the government argues that the funds saved by eliminating the subsidies are better used for infrastructure and other developmental projects, many Nigerians are struggling with the higher cost of fuel, which has put pressure on their daily lives. This disaster serves as a tragic reminder of the severe challenges faced by the country’s citizens and the desperate measures some will take to secure basic necessities like fuel.

The National Emergency Management Agency, along with local authorities, continues to assess the aftermath of the explosion and provide assistance to the families affected by the tragedy. The agency has also warned against the dangerous practice of collecting fuel from crashed tankers, urging people to refrain from participating in such hazardous activities. Authorities are expected to launch a full investigation into the incident to determine whether there was any negligence or other contributing factors that led to the disaster.

In the meantime, the community remains in shock over the scale of the explosion and the lives lost. With gasoline prices continuing to rise and economic hardship gripping many Nigerians, incidents like this are likely to become more frequent unless there are significant changes to the country’s fuel policies and economic strategies. For now, the families of the victims and the broader community mourn the loss of those who perished in a preventable tragedy, while grappling with the larger issue of how to ensure the safety and well-being of the population in the face of such desperate circumstances.

As the investigation into the tanker explosion continues, the Nigerian government faces increased pressure to address the broader issue of fuel prices and economic inequality, which continue to drive individuals toward dangerous and life-threatening behaviors. The incident has sparked national outcry and has put a spotlight on the pressing need for policy reform that balances the country’s developmental goals with the welfare of its citizens.

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