At least 86 killed in Niger State fuel truck explosion

Over in Nigeria, at least 86 people died and 55 were injured on Saturday when a crashed fuel truck exploded near the Suleja area in Niger State.

The massive blast happened as individuals tried to transfer fuel from an overturned tanker to another vehicle using a generator.

Many victims were bystanders who had gathered at the scene, including those taking pictures and others trying to collect the spilled fuel.

While the death toll could be higher according to officials, those injured are receiving treatment at local hospitals.

Fatal truck accidents are prevalent in Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous country, largely due to the lack of an efficient railway system for transporting cargo.

At least 48 people were killed in a similar incident in Niger State in September.

In 2020 alone, over 1,500 accidents were reported, resulting in 535 fatalities, according to Nigeria's Federal Road Safety Corps.