Tanker Explosion: Mass burial for 147 victims as FRSC commiserates with bereaved

The Federal Road Safety Corps has commiserated with the families affected by the fatal tanker explosion just as the authorities held a mass burial for at least 147 victims in Jigawa.

FRSC corps marshal Shehu Mohammed said his thoughts and prayers were with the bereaved.

The explosion happened in Majia in Jigawa, where 94 people got burnt to death while scooping petrol from a fallen tanker.

Authorities said the death toll rose to 147 on Wednesday.

The chairman of Taura LGA, Shu’aibu Hambali, confirmed the latest causality figure on Wednesday evening while speaking live on a local radio station, Arewa Radio.

Meanwhile, a mass burial has been held for the 147 victims who died while scooping fuel from the tanker wreckage.

The FRSC boss explained that the unfortunate incident underscored the importance of always adhering to safety regulations.

However, he urged all road users to exercise caution and always await FRSC’s emergency and rescue operatives to handle such emergencies.

He further stated that it behoved the corps to advise the public to endeavour to stay very far from the tanker whenever an incident of this nature occurred.

This, he said, was because the product contained highly flammable content and could result in severe injuries and deaths.

“You may recall that from available reports, the fire was ignited when the villagers rushed out to scoop fuel from a detached tanker of a DAF vehicle that crashed on that route about an hour after the crash.

“The lone crash, which had no casualties as the driver and conductor survived without any injuries, occurred when the DAF Tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit attempted to dodge a speed bump at high speed.

“The resultant impact of the driver’s action while on high speed detached the tanker from the body of the articulated vehicle,” he said.

The corps marshal directed further investigation into the crash and issued instant orders to commanding officers at the various tank farms to expedite action.

This, he said, should be towards ensuring that all tankers observed the minimum safety standards before they were allowed to convey inflammable substances.

The FRSC boss said the injured victims had been taken to Ringim General Hospital, Jahun General Hospital, and Khadija Clinic Majia for urgent medical attention.