UPDATED: 105 dead, 55 injured in Jigawa tanker explosion

Following an explosion of a petrol tanker in Majiya town, in the Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, at least 105 persons have been officially declared dead.

In a phone chat with PUNCH Online on Wednesday, Shiisu Adam, the state Police Command's public relations officer, confirmed the number.

According to him, roughly 55 patients were admitted to Ringim General Hospital with varying degrees of injury.

"As I speak with you today, there have been approximately 105 casualties and 55 injuries, compared to the 50 that were previously confirmed," he stated.

He claims that the incident happened in Majia Town on Tuesday night at around 11:30 p.m. when the tanker driver lost control close to Khadija University.

He claimed that the tanker had left Kano and was travelling to the Yobe State town of Nguru when the driver finally lost control of the vehicle and it detonated.

Many people died as a result of some people going there to explore the merchandise after the catastrophe, according to what was learnt.
Additionally, it was learnt that several injured patients were transferred to Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kudu because there weren't enough beds at Ringim General Hospital.

Since most of the deceased were destroyed by fire, plans are already underway to bury them all together.