The tanker overturned and spilled its contents in the Suleja area of North Central Niger state on Saturday. It exploded moments after people began scooping up fuel, killing dozens

More than 70 were killed and dozens more were injured in a fuel tanker fire and explosion along a highway in central Nigeria, authorities said Saturday.

At least 70 people have been killed in north-central Nigeria after a gasoline tanker exploded, the country’s emergency response agency said.

By Ahmed Kingimi MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) -At least 60 people were killed and others injured in northern Nigeria on Saturday when a petrol tanker truck overturned, spilling petrol that exploded, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said.

Such accidents have become common in Africa's largest oil producer, killing dozens of people in the country grappling with its worst cost of living crisis in a generation.

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) extends its heartfelt condolences to the victims of the tragic petrol tanker explosion that occurred at

Tsukwam said a truck carrying 60,000 litres of gasoline had an accident around 10:00 am (0900 GMT) at the Dikko junction on the road linking the federal capital Abuja to the northern city of Kaduna.

The incident, which occurred after the truck overturned and spilled fuel, highlights the dangers of fuel scarcity and the desperate measures taken by residents.