The death toll from a gasoline tanker explosion in Nigeria has risen to 86, with 55 others injured. The explosion occurred when individuals tried to transfer gasoline from a crashed tanker to another truck using a generator in the Suleja area of Niger state. The blast killed those involved in the fuel transfer as well as bystanders. There are concerns that the death toll may be higher than reported, as some victims were burnt beyond recognition. The high number of casualties was due to a crowd gathering at the scene, including people taking pictures and trying to scoop gasoline. Gasoline prices in Nigeria have increased after the government removed subsidies on the product over a year ago, leading to economic hardships and prompting some individuals to engage in illegal activities like scooping gasoline from fallen tankers. This incident highlights the dangers associated with such practices and the need for increased safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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Nigerian gasoline tanker explosion leaves 86 dead, 55 injured
