A devastating fuel tanker explosion ripped through the village of Ezza in Nigeria’s Niger State on Tuesday, killing at least 38 people and leaving dozens more injured, according to local authorities and emergency services.

The tragedy occurred when a tanker truck carrying petroleum products overturned on a damaged section of the Katcha–Agae road in the Katcha Local Government Area. The accident caused the highly flammable contents to spill onto the road, drawing nearby residents who rushed to collect the leaking fuel.

Moments later, the tanker exploded, engulfing the area in flames.

Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene, with several victims trapped as the fire spread rapidly through the crowd. “It was like a bomb went off — people were screaming and running in all directions,” said a local resident, Musa Abdullahi, who helped with rescue efforts.

Emergency responders, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), police, and state fire services, rushed to the scene to extinguish the fire and recover bodies. Several victims were burned beyond recognition.

Hajiya Aishatu Sa’adu, FRSC Sector Commander for Niger State, confirmed that rescue operations continued late into Tuesday evening. “Our teams are still evacuating remains and clearing debris. The incident has caused a serious traffic gridlock along the busy road due to the poor condition of the route,” she said.

Farouk Mohammed Kawo, chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) in Niger State, noted that most of the victims were locals who had gathered to scoop fuel from the leaking tanker before the explosion. “This is a tragedy that could have been avoided,” he said, urging residents to avoid approaching such accident sites in the future.

Authorities said that many survivors suffered severe burns and were transported to Badegi Clinic and Ezza Dispensary Hospital, while some were later referred to the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Specialist Hospital in Minna for advanced care.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the tanker’s brake failure and the poor state of the Katcha–Agae road contributed to the accident. Local officials have called for urgent road repairs and stricter regulations on tanker transport safety.

The incident has renewed national concern over the frequent fuel tanker explosions in Nigeria, often caused by dilapidated road infrastructure, reckless driving, and fuel scavenging practices among residents struggling with economic hardship.

State emergency officials confirmed that a mass burial was being arranged for victims who could not be identified due to severe burns.

“This is one of the deadliest accidents we’ve seen this year,” said an official from Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA). “We are working with local leaders to provide relief to affected families.” (ILKHA)