People inspect the damage at the site of a gas tanker explosion in the central Nigerian state of Kogi, Nigeria September 23, 2020. REUTERS/Haruna Yahaya
September 24, 2020
ABUJA (Reuters) – At least 28 people were killed on Wednesday when a gas tanker exploded in the central Nigerian state of Kogi and started a blaze, a road safety agency official said.
Bisi Kazeem, spokesman for the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), said nine children were involved in the accident, which happened opposite a petrol station along Lokoja-Zariagi highway in the state.
State governor Yahaya Bello said in a statement the accident, which occurred early on Wednesday, led to loss of lives and destroyed many vehicles, properties and other valuables in the tanker fire.
Traffic accidents are common in Nigeria, where roads are bad and safety standards poor.
(Reporting by Camillus Eboh and Tife Owolabi; Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Alex Richardson)
