More than 140 people, including children, were killed in Nigeria after a gasoline tanker overturned and exploded in Jigawa state while people attempted to collect spilled fuel, AP News reports.
The incident occurred at midnight in the town of Majiya when the tanker driver lost control on the highway, leading residents to rush to the scene to collect spilled fuel. The fire erupted quickly, and many victims were burned beyond recognition. The head of the National Emergency Management Agency reported that close to 140 bodies were buried in a mass grave.
Nigeria saw over 1,500 fuel tanker accidents in 2020, resulting in 535 deaths, often without prosecutions or compensation for victims. Fuel prices have tripled since the government ended gas subsidies, prompting residents to salvage fuel despite the dangers.