by Olatunji Saliu
ABUJA, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Most of the victims of a fuel tanker explosion near a village in north-central Nigeria got a mass burial on Wednesday sponsored by the government.
The tragedy occurred on Monday at Ahumbe village in Benue state, when the tanker overturned after an accident and caught fire and dozens of people were trying to scoop the leaked fuel.
Up to 48 people were confirmed killed by the state government on Wednesday, with more than 90 people receiving treatment across hospitals in the state.
The dead victims were buried amid tears and wailings near the village of Ahumbe where the incident occurred along the Makurdi-Aliade highway in Gwer East local government area of the state.
Deputy governor of Benue, Benson Abounu, who led the government delegation to the mass funeral, said there were a good number of people who were burned beyond recognition.
Abounu said several families who were able to recognize their loved ones can take them away and give them befitting burial.
The victims of the explosion cut across ages, with the youngest survivor, a nine-year-old, receiving treatment at a nearby local hospital. There is also an 11-year-old receiving treatment at a government-owned hospital.
The official said the survivors suffered between 30 to 90 percent of burns from the "shocking explosion."
Two local firefighters also sustained injuries of up to 30 percent burns while trying to assist victims at the scene of the explosion.
Most of the victims were people who attempted to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker, the local road safety police said earlier.
The fuel tanker had skidded as the driver avoided a pothole in the area. The vehicle flipped and wreaked the havoc.
The scooping lasted for almost 45 minutes, until an 18-seater Toyota bus rammed into the fuel tanker, causing the first explosion, Aliyu Baba, a senior road safety police officer noted.
Baba said the fire caused by the first explosion killed 14 passengers instantly in the bus and some people who were scooping the fuel.
The second explosion, which caused more casualties, happened when onlookers, motorists and villagers trooped to the scene to either catch a glimpse of the incident or assist in the rescue efforts.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said in a statement that he was "saddened by the unfortunate loss of lives which could clearly have been avoided".
The president also called on citizens of the West African country to be careful in handling incendiary materials especially petroleum products in order to avoid casualties.
