At least 50 people were killed in Nigeria when fuel from a crashed truck that they were siphoning up caught fire, local media reported. Nearby shops were also burnt down in the explosion after fuel from the crash spilled on them, officials said. Fuel tanker accidents are frequent in Nigeria, an oil-producing nation, where crude supplies are often transported by road. Fires and explosions often occur as people try to siphon fuel from pipelines and also following accidents involving fuel tankers on poorly-maintained roads. Last October 20 cars and four commercial motorcycles were burned when a tanker spilled petroleum on a busy road.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 04, 2019 15:00 UTC