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ABUJA, Nigeria — A gasoline tanker truck exploded in north-central Nigeria on Tuesday, killing at least 31 people, police said.
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The explosion occurred in the Bida area of Niger state after a truck fell and local residents rushed to the scene to collect spilled fuel, police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said in a statement. According to him, the explosion also injured 17 people who were taken to nearby hospitals.
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Niger state has seen an increase in accidents involving heavy trucks in recent months, which analysts blame on poor roads and a lack of a rail network. The state serves as a major transit hub for goods moving between northern and southern Nigeria.
An investigation is underway to identify the driver, owner of the tanker and the cause of the accident, a police spokesman said.
Niger State Governor Umaru Bago said he was disappointed that people were trying to salvage gasoline from overturned tanks despite the danger. “This is yet another painful, difficult and tragic situation for the people and the state government,” Bago said.
In January, at least 98 people were killed in Niger state when people tried to transfer gasoline from a crashed oil tanker to another truck using a generator.
Gasoline collection has become common in Nigeria as fuel prices have soared following the removal of subsidies under President Bola Tinubu.
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