The number r of people who have died from the petrol tanker explosion in Gurara LGA of Niger state has risen to 86.
In a statement by Abdullahi Baba-Arah, director-general of Niger State Emergency Management Agency, said several bodies have been recovered from the scene of the explosion.
Baba-Arah stated that the number of persons injured has jumoed to 55.
He further noted that the agency in collaboration with Gurara LGA officials has conducted a mass burial for 80 persons.
“A total of 86 persons have been confirmed dead, with their corpses recovered and buried,” he said.
“Eighty of them were buried in a mass grave at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre premises, while five were taken by their relatives for burial in the town, and one died at Dikko Primary Healthcare Centre.
“The mass burial was carried out by NSEMA in collaboration with Gurara LGA and courageous volunteers between the hours of 5pm and midnight.
“The number of injured now stands at 55, with one death recorded at Dikko PHC.”
The explosion happened on Saturday when a tanker conveying petrol crashed and another tanker was brought to transfer the contents.
Reports suggest that residents were scooping petrol when the explosion suddenly happened.
