A fuel tanker exploded overnight in northern Nigeria, killing at least 147 people who rushed to the scene of the accident to collect leaking petrol, officials say.
The fire engulfed the overturned vehicle, which had been cordoned off by officers after it crashed, the police told the BBC.
About 100 other people injured in the explosion have been taken to hospital in the nearby town of Ringim in Jigawa state, many of them are in a critical condition.
Officers had warned people not to approach the tanker after the accident late on Tuesday night, but they were unable to contain the growing crowd, said police spokesman Lawal Shiisu Adam.
We tried our best to stop people going to the vehicle to get petrol but despite cordoning [off] the area, we were overpowered and as people were scooping fuel, fire erupted,” he told the BBC.
It can be recalled in December of 2023, similar situation occurred in Liberia along the Monrovia Totota, Bong County Highway where a gas tanker carrying 200 gallons of gasoline overturned killing at least 75 people and 100 more than sustained injuries.
