By Our reporter
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that the death toll from the petrol tanker explosion that occurred at Essa community along the Bida–Badeggi–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State has risen to 45.
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It also said that 63 other victims sustained varying degrees of burns.
The Head of Operations, NEMA Minna Office, Hussaini Isah, who oversees Niger and Kwara States, disclosed this in a situation update told Thenorthernstar.ng online on Friday.
Hussaini said, the explosion was caused by a bad section of the road, which led to the accident.
He identified Essa as the most affected community.
“The death toll stand at 45 — comprising 12 males, 27 females, and six children.
“A total of 63 persons were injured, including 24 males, 32 females, and seven children,” Isah disclosed.
He explained that all the victims were casualties of fuel scooping following the crash.
Many of the victims initially received treatment at Essa Primary Health Centre and Idris Private Hospital before being transferred to Umaru Sanda General Hospital, Bida, and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida.
In a swift reaction, the Farmers Governor, Muhammad Umar Bago told Essa communities to desist and distance themselves from scooping what doesn’t belongs to them. While sympathizing with them for the lost of their love once.
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