At least 60 killed in Nigeria by fuel tanker truck blast

A minimum of 60 people were killed and more injured in northern Nigeria on January 18th when a petrol tanker truck overturned, spilling fuel that exploded, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said according to Reuters.

The accident, which happened in Niger state, follows a similar blast in Jigawa state in October 2024 that killed 147 people, one of the deadliest such incidents Nigeria has seen.

FRSC sector commander for Niger state Kumar Tsukwam said a majority of the victims were impoverished local residents who had rushed to scoop up the spilled petrol after the truck overturned.

Reuters