Two more victims of the Niger State petrol tanker explosion have died, raising the death toll to 45, while 62 others are still receiving treatment for severe burns.
Head of Operations, National Emergency Management Agency, Minna Office, Hussaini Isah, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, attributing the tragedy to the bad condition of the road.
The petrol tanker explosion occurred around 3:45 pm on October 21 at Essa community along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie Road in Katcha Local Government Area of the state.
The explosion caused multiple fatalities and left many with severe burns.
NEMA had stated that rescue operations were hampered by traffic congestion, poor road conditions, and a lack of network connectivity for effective communication.
Updating the casualty figure on Friday, Isah said the deceased comprised 12 males, 27 females, and six children, while the injured included 24 males, 32 females, and seven children.
Isah explained that all the victims were affected while scooping spilled fuel from the crashed tanker.
“All the victims were as a result of scooping fuel. Some of the victims were initially evacuated to Essa Primary Health Care, Idris Private Hospital, but were later moved to Umaru Sanda General Hospital, Bida, and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida. Fourteen critically injured persons were referred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for further treatment.
“The additional 12 injured persons reported today were initially taken to their family houses for treatment but later returned to hospitals for better care,” Isah added.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Government has supplied medical materials to the Umaru Sanda General Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, where most victims were being treated.
Some victims reportedly discharged themselves prematurely after feeling better, while others later returned for further medical care.
