The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced investigation into Tuesday’s tanker explosion at Majia town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
According to authorities, death toll from the explosion has reached 157 as of Thursday monring, with many victims still hospitalised.
NSIB in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, said the bureau is “aware of the tragic petrol tanker explosion.”
According to reports, the incident happened around 11 pm on Tuesday when a petrol tanker, en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control and crashed, spilling its contents.
As residents gathered to scoop the fuel, the tanker exploded, resulting in a massive inferno.
Oladeji stated that in line with the bureau’s mandate to investigate accidents across all transportation sectors, the NSIB had deployed a team of experts to investigate the accident.
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The team will assess the circumstances surrounding the crash and the explosion to identify causal factors and provide safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this devastating accident. The NSIB is committed to uncovering the cause of the explosion and ensuring that safety lessons are learned,” said Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director General of the NSIB.
Further updates on the investigation would be communicated as the NSIB team gathers and analyses evidence from the scene, the agency said.
It however reminded citizens of the grave danger posed by scooping fuel from tanker accidents and urged them to avoid such scenes.
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