At least 153 people lost their lives overnight in northern Nigeria after a fuel tanker exploded while residents attempted to collect leaking petrol, officials report.

The tragedy occurred in Jigawa state when an overturned tanker, which had crashed and been cordoned off by police, suddenly erupted in flames. Despite warnings from officers to stay away, a crowd gathered to scoop fuel from the vehicle.

“We tried to stop them, but the crowd overpowered us,” said police spokesman Lawal Shiisu Adam. “As they were collecting petrol, the fire broke out.”

The incident took place in Majia town at around 23:30 local time (22:30 GMT) on Tuesday. The tanker had been en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe state when the driver lost control. Although the driver escaped injury, he has been taken into custody for questioning as investigations proceed.

Over 100 people injured in the blast were rushed to hospitals, many in critical condition. Emergency responders and fire service units arrived to assist, but several victims had already perished. Many bodies, some found far from the site, were burnt beyond recognition and later buried in a mass ceremony.

A video shared on social media captured the aftermath of the explosion, revealing the extent of the devastation. Rescue teams covered bodies with tree branches to protect them from public view.

Fuel tanker accidents are frequent in Nigeria, often attributed to poor road conditions and poorly maintained vehicles. As cleanup efforts began in Jigawa, another tanker accident occurred on Wednesday morning in Ibafo, Ogun state. The tanker overturned in front of a commercial bank, spilling petrol and igniting a fire that damaged several trucks, although no casualties were reported.

This tragedy follows another fatal incident in Niger state last month, where 59 people died when a fuel tanker collided with a passenger-laden lorry.