A fuel tanker exploded in northern Nigeria last night as it was surrounded by a crowd of people who had rushed to the scene of the accident to collect leaking petrol.
At least 94 people were burned alive when fire engulfed the crashed vehicle, police told the BBC.
Fifty others injured in the explosion have been taken to hospital in nearby Ringim town, Jigawa state and are in critical condition.
Officers had warned people not to approach the tanker after the accident late Tuesday night, but they were unable to control the growing crowds, police spokesman Lawal Shiisu Adam said.
“We did our best to prevent people from going to their cars to get petrol, but despite cordoning off the area we were overwhelmed and while people were shoveling fuel a fire broke out,” he told the BBC .
The crash happened around 11:30 pm local time in the city of Majia in northern Jigawa state, he said.
“The fuel tanker came from Kano and was heading to Nguru in Yobe State when the driver lost control of the vehicle.”
The driver, who was not injured, has been taken into custody while police investigate.
A disturbing video showing the moments after the fire broke out has been shared on social media.
“Fire and other emergency services rushed to the scene to assist following the incident,” Adam said.
Many of the victims were burned beyond recognition. The bodies are covered with tree branches to protect them from onlookers.
A mass funeral was planned for later on Wednesday, Mr Adam said.
Explosions and accidents involving fuel tankers are common in Nigeria, often caused by poor road conditions and poorly maintained vehicles.
In September, 59 people were killed in the Nigerian state of Niger after a fuel tanker collided with a truck carrying passengers and livestock.
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