- Safiu Kehinde
At least 39 people have been confirmed dead with 60 others sustaining various degrees of injuries in Niger state’s fuel tanker explosion.
NPO Reported that the incident which occurred on Tuesday afternoon at Essan community in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger state, had initially claimed the live 24 people with 40 injured.
However, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in a statement issued on Wednesday confirmed the increase in death toll and injured victims.
According to NEMA, the explosion occurred around 3:45 p.m yesterday along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road with the casualties including men, women, and children.
The victims were reportedly among those attempting to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker when the explosion occurred.
NEMA further disclosed its immediate deployment of rescue team to the scene yesterday, as directed by its Director-General, Zubaida Umar, to support support the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and other responders in rescue operations.
The NEMA DG, according to the statement, warned the public against scooping fuel from fallen tankers as she commiserated with the families of the victims affected.
“Upon receiving the distress report, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, immediately directed the Head of NEMA Minna Operations Office, Mr. Hussaini Isah, to activate the rescue team and deploy to the scene to support the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and other responders in rescue operations.
“NEMA’s team, working alongside NSEMA, the Police, NSCDC, FRSC, DSS, local vigilantes, and community volunteers, successfully evacuated the injured victims to nearby health facilities including the Essan Primary Health Centre, Idris Private Hospital, and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, for emergency treatment.
“The multi stakeholders rescue team has commenced detail assessment of damages in the affected community.
“While commiserating with the victims and families affected, the NEMA Director General warned members of the public to desist from scooping fuel from accident tankers, stressing that such acts have repeatedly led to avoidable loss of lives.
“She also advised residents and motorists to stay clear of accident scenes and promptly report such incidents to emergency agencies for professional handling.” The statement partly read.