At least 39 people have been killed in an oil tanker explosion in Nigeria's central Niger state after the vehicle skidded off the road and crashed, spilling fuel, an aid worker has told the BBC.
Another 60 people with varying degrees of injuries are currently receiving treatment at a hospital, said Abdullahi Baba Ara, head of the Niger state emergency service.
Villagers rushed to collect fuel from the overturned tanker which suddenly exploded, setting off a massive fire that engulfed them.
Tanker explosions are a recurring tragedy in Nigeria, despite repeated warnings about the dangers of collecting spilled fuel.
The intense blaze burned many victims beyond recognition, and the injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The accident occurred near the Essan and Badeggi communities along the Bida-Agaie road in the Katcha Local Government Area of Niger state.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago sent his condolences to the people, describing the incident as worrisome, unfortunate and pathetic. He underlined the continuous awareness campaigns aimed at discouraging villagers from approaching fallen tankers for fuel.
The tanker was reportedly transferring petroleum products from Lagos in southern Nigeria to the north when it crashed, attributed primarily to the poor condition of the road, which is a major factor in road accidents across the country.
This tragic incident adds to a list of similar occurrences; in October of last year, a fuel tanker explosion in Jigawa state resulted in 153 deaths, while another in January this year in Niger state killed at least 86 people.
