Nigerian Jigawa tanker explosion: 'My nephews died trying to stop petrol scoopers'

A farming community is in shock after more than 150 people are killed in an inferno after a tanker crash.

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"My nephews, Nuradeen Rabiu, 16, and Dini Babalo, 17, were among those killed. They tried to stop people from getting too close to the tanker and scooping fuel before the explosion," the 50-year-old resident of Majia town told the BBC.

The explosion on Tuesday night in the northern state of Jigawa has been described as one of Nigeria’s most-deadly tanker accidents in recent years.

It has claimed the lives of at least 170 people - many burnt beyond recognition. Of the 100 people wounded in the inferno, several remain in hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The tanker was full of petrol and had been travelling on a main road through the town that had no street lights when the driver lost control as another vehicle approached.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3wx98dkxqo

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