Afuel tanker explosion has reportedly claimed the lives of multiple passengers in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The incident occurred on Friday morning.
SaharaReporters monitored a live video posted by a Facebook user, Orioye Chanter Ijobaibile, showing the raging fire at Iyemanja community, along the expressway in Okolowo axis, Ilorin.
In the video, Orioye narrated the horrifying scene, saying, “People are inside the cars, and it is burning. What is even worrisome is that many other trucks that always carry fuel are passing near the fire. That is risky. They may also catch fire. We are just waiting for security operatives to show up so that they can stop them. People are getting burned inside the fire.”
As of the time of filing this report, emergency responders had yet to arrive at the scene, while the fire continued to spread, posing a threat to other vehicles and properties in the area.
This explosion comes just weeks after a similar incident in Niger State, where several people were burnt to death when a fuel tanker exploded on a busy highway.
In January, a tragic fuel tanker explosion occurred near Suleja in Niger State, Nigeria, resulting in at least 98 fatalities and numerous injuries.
The incident took place when individuals attempted to transfer gasoline from a crashed tanker using a generator, leading to a catastrophic explosion.
In October 2024, a devastating fuel tanker explosion occurred in Majiya, Jigawa State.
The incident resulted in a significant loss of life, with reported fatalities varying between sources. Initial reports indicated at least 94 deaths, while subsequent updates reported higher numbers, with some sources citing over 140 fatalities.
The explosion also caused numerous injuries and extensive property damage.
The tragedy occurred when a fuel tanker overturned, leading local residents to gather and collect the spilling fuel.
Unfortunately, the tanker exploded during this process, resulting in the high casualty count. This incident highlights the dangers associated with siphoning fuel from compromised tankers, a practice that has led to multiple tragedies in the region.
Fuel tanker explosions have become a recurring nightmare in Nigeria, often attributed to poor road conditions, reckless driving, and a lack of strict safety regulations for fuel transportation. Despite repeated tragedies, authorities have struggled to implement measures to prevent such disasters.
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