Posted by Samuel on Thu 23rd Jan, 2025 - tori.ng
The disaster unfolded as people gathered to scoop the fuel, igniting an explosion that killed at least 98 people with many others injured.
Two young boys, Alansa (12) and Yisa (14), sustained severe burns in a tragic petrol tanker explosion on Saturday along the Dikko-Maje Road, opposite Badeggi Filling Station, in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.
It had been reported that the explosion occurred when a tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, overturned and spilled its content.
The disaster unfolded as people gathered to scoop the fuel, igniting an explosion that killed at least 98 people with many others injured.
Following a directive from President Bola Tinubu for the immediate transfer of victims to tertiary medical facilities, 20 patients were moved to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital in Abuja.
However, a visit to the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital on Wednesday revealed that 16 victims remained in their wards after three had been transferred elsewhere.
Mr Sani Suleiman, the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, said the victims, aged 12 to 40, suffered burns covering 70–80% of their bodies, with six in critical condition.
Two of Mr. Amusa Garuba’s children were also severely burnt and in the hospital.
A distraught Garuba stated that his children were not involved in scooping fuel at the scene.
“I am not fine at all. Two of my children are affected, and my wife is deeply distraught over the situation,” Garuba said. “I wasn’t present when the incident happened. Neighbours rescued my children on my behalf.”
Garuba explained that his sons were working at his shop when the explosion occurred.
“I am an engineer, and my children assist me in my work. On that day, I was away for an outside job while they opened the shop. When the fire started, the younger one went to look for his brother, and that’s how they got caught in the chaos. They were trampled on by people trying to escape,” he lamented.
The burns sustained by the boys are described as severe. However, Garuba commended the hospital for its care.
“The hospital has been feeding and catering for us. We haven’t been asked to buy any drugs or treatment materials; they’ve handled everything,” he noted.
According to SaharaReporters, a hospital source confirmed that none of the victims receiving treatment had been involved in scooping fuel, explaining that those who engaged in scooping were burned beyond recognition.
“All the victims here were not involved in scooping fuel; those ones are are no longer alive,” the source revealed.
At least 80 corpses have been reportedly recovered and given mass burial at Dikko Primary Health Centre premises.
The Federal Government has set up a committee of stakeholders to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the tragic incident.