60 People Scooping Fuel From Burning Tanker Consumed

It was a pathetic sight at the spot of a tanker explosion this morning as it has resulted in the death of about 60 dead, some of whom were about scooping fuel.

The incident happened at about 10am at Dikko Junction on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

in Gurara local government area of Niger State.

Aside 60 people who lost their lives, several others sustained injuries, reports from the area has said.

Reports say the causality rate would have been less but for the fact people gathered to scoop the spilled product from the tanker when the explosion occurred.

The Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kumar Tsukwam, confirmed the incident, but gave a less figure. (See follow-up report)

READ ALSO: Tanker Explosion Claims Over 30 Lives, Rams, Goats Burnt

He said that rescue operation was ongoing and all safety measures for road users have been put in place as the gridlock along Abuja-Kaduna highway has been controlled.

The accident has again, brought to the fore, the danger of scooping fuel at accident venues.