58 killed in Niger in tanker truck fuel blast

A fuel tanker lorry overturned and exploded near the Airport in Niger’s Capital Niamey and killed almost 58 people, as informed by the authorities.

The victims had gathered around the vehicle to collect fuel after it overturned near to the railway tracks in a trial to park. Along with this, other 37 people were injured in the explosion late on the Sunday evening.

The president visited some of the injured in the hospital.

“Just before midnight I went out and I saw the truck overturned. People came from everywhere to take gas, then I saw fire on its side and everything burst into flames.” Told one of the eyewitness to the Agence France-Presse.

Fuel tanker explosions are fairly common in Niger’s leading oil-producing neighbour, Nigeria. Earlier in 2002, more than 100 people died in an explosion in southern Nigeria.