The Nigerian police have stated that the death toll from the Jigawa tanker explosion has risen to 170, with over 70 receiving intensive care at a hospital.
The blast tore through crowds who had hurried to gather fuel spilling from a crashed tanker in the town of Majiya in Jigawa state on Tuesday.
“At the Federal Medical Centers in Azare, Nguru, and Birnin Kudu, 70 people were receiving intensive care,” said spokesman, Deputy Superintendent of Police Lawan Shiisu Adam, in a statement with the death toll rising to 170.
He mentioned that other hospitals were attending to victims with sever injuries.
This tragic event is the most recent of its kind in Nigeria, occurring at a time when petrol has become an expensive commodity.
In September, at least 59 people died when a fuel tanker and a truck carrying passengers and cattle collided in Niger State.
