In northwestern Nigeria, mass funerals are underway for more than 150 victims of a devastating fuel tanker explosion. The tragedy occurred as people attempted to collect petrol that had spilled onto the road, leading to a high death toll.
Reporting from Abuja, Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris stated on Thursday that the number of fatalities had risen to 157.
Health workers in Jigawa State indicated that over 100 injured individuals were receiving treatment in hospitals, with the severity of their burns suggesting the death toll could still climb.
Police spokesman Lawan Shiisu Adam said the tanker was traveling from the ancient city of Kano to Yobe State in the north when the driver lost control of the vehicle near the town of Majiya, about 530km (330 miles) north of the capital Abuja, causing it to overturn and spill fuel.
On Wednesday, the biggest funeral took place, with more than 100 victims buried, said Idris.
“Not everyone who was killed was part of the crowd that was collecting the fuel,” he pointed out.