Tragedy: 50 killed scooping fuel in Benue, 70 others injured

At least 50 persons were roasted Monday in a tanker fire explosion at Ahumbe village, near Aliede in Gwer East local government area of Benue state.

The Information Officer the local government, Mr Christopher Avi, who spoke to Blueprint on phone, said the tanker entered into a ditch and tumbled before spilling the fuel.

The council image maker said the victims were trying to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker when it caught fire and exploded.

He said over 50 persons were burnt to death while over 70 sustained severe injuries in the explosion.

Mr Avi explained that those who sustained various degrees of burns from the explosion were rushed to four different hospitals for treatment.

The information officer also said some of the victims affected in the fire incident were those living around the area where the accident occurred.

He also said some houses in the area were burnt down following that explosion.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue state police command, DSP Catherine Anene confirmed that the death toll was high but that the scene could not be accessed for fear of another explosion.

She also said those who sustained burns from the explosion had been taken to hospitals for treatment.

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