The Speaker of House of Representatives Rep. Abbas Tajudeen has described as `tragic and unfortunate’, the death and injury of about 50 persons in a fuel tanker explosion in Niger.
This is contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the speaker, Mr Musa Krishi on Wednesday in Abuja.
The tanker reportedly fell along the Bida/Agaie highway on Tuesday afternoon leading to the burning of 48 persons with 31 dead, while 17 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
According to the Police Command in Niger, some persons around Essa village via Katcha went to the scene to scoop Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), leading to an explosion.
Tajudeen said that the incident was saddening and worrisome, describing it as painful.
He said that the deaths were avoidable and called for more sensitisation of the public on safety and response to disasters.
The speaker commiserated with families of the victims and extended his condolences to the people and the government of Niger.
