The death toll of the petrol tanker explosion in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, on Wednesday, rose to 147.
President Bola Tinubu, his wife, Oluremi, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, governors and many other Nigerians expressed grief over the incident.
The Chairman of Taura LGA, Shu’aibu Hambali, confirmed the latest causality figure on Wednesday evening while speaking live on a local radio station, Arewa Radio.
Meanwhile, mass burial has been held for the 147 victims who died while scooping fuel from the tanker wreckage.
Earlier, it was reported that no fewer than 105 people were confirmed dead following the tragic incident.
According to the local council chairman, the figures were collated after the bodies were counted just before the mass burial for the deceased on Wednesday.
“About 74 injured persons are receiving treatment at different hospitals within and around the state, including, Ringim General Hospital among others in Bauchi and Yobe States respectively”, the council chairman pointed out.
Hambali added that some of the injured persons were also rushed to Dala Orthopedic Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano, where they are currently receiving treatment.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Jigawa State Police Command, Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Shiisu Adam, earlier confirmed that about 55 people suffered varying degrees of injuries.
“As I am speaking with l you now, the casualty figure is about 105 and the number of injured is 55 as against the 50 earlier confirmed”, he said.
According to him, the incident occurred at about 11:30 pm on Tuesday in Majiya Town, when the tanker driver was said to have lost control near Khadija University.
The tanker, he said, departed Kano on its way to Nguru town in Yobe State, when the driver suddenlly lost control of the vehicle, followed by the explosion.
It was gathered that after the tragic incident, some villagers besieged the vicinity to scoop fuel, resulting in the death of many persons.
