At least 48 people have been confirmed dead following a devastating collision between a fuel tanker and a lorry carrying passengers and cattle in Nigeria’s central Niger state.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) reported that the incident occurred around 00:30 local time (01:30 GMT) on Sunday.
The collision caused a massive explosion that engulfed both vehicles and set several others on fire, leading to a chaotic scene.
“Response teams were dispatched immediately to manage the situation,” said Abdullahi Baba-arah, Director-General of NSEMA.
The aftermath of the crash revealed a grim scene, with footage showing the two vehicles completely burnt out alongside several dead cattle.
An emergency rescue worker described the difficult task of recovering bodies from the site, noting that many victims, including the animals, were still inside the charred vehicles.
Other vehicles in the vicinity of the explosion were also caught up in the blaze, intensifying the tragedy.
Local authorities have begun the process of a mass burial for the victims, state media reported.
In a condolence message, Niger State Governor Umaru Bago expressed deep sorrow over the disaster.
“I am pained by the unfortunate incident,” he said, offering his sympathies to the grieving families.
The cause of the collision is under investigation, as officials focus on recovering and identifying the victims while providing support to their families in this difficult time.
