The death toll from the petrol tanker explosion in Gurara Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger state on Saturday has risen to 86.
Gatekeepers News reports that Abdullahi Baba-Arah, director-general (DG) of Niger State Emergency Management Agency revealed this in a statement on Sunday.
The DG noted that several bodies have been recovered from the scene of the explosion, adding that the number of people injured has increased to 55.
Baba-Arah said the agency in collaboration with Gurara LGA officials has conducted a mass burial for 80 persons.
He said, “A total of 86 persons have been confirmed dead, with their corpses recovered and buried.”
“Eighty of them were buried in a mass grave at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre premises, while five were taken by their relatives for burial in the town, and one died at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre.”
“The mass burial was carried out by NSEMA in collaboration with Gurara LGA and courageous volunteers between the hours of 5pm and midnight.”
“The number of injured now stands at 55, with one death recorded at Dikko PHC.”
The incident occurred when a petrol tanker truck overturned, spilling fuel and some impoverished residents rushed to scoop up the spilled petrol.
