28 Oct Overturned fuel tanker kills 153 people in Nigeria

A fuel tanker exploded in northern Nigeria, and killed at least 153 people who had attempted to collect leaking petrol, officials say.

The fire consumed the vehicle, and was cordoned off to the public in Jigawa state, the police told the BBC.

Officers claim that they had warned people not to approach the tanker, but they were unable to contain the 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 said to the BBC.

“The fuel tanker was coming from Kano and heading to Nguru in Yobe state when the driver lost control of the vehicle.”

“Fire service and other emergency units rushed to the scene to help after the incident,” Adam said.