In one of Nigeria’s deadliest accidents in recent times, a fuel tanker overturned in the northern state of Jigawa late on Tuesday, leading to a massive explosion that claimed the lives of at least 147 people, according to police and state emergency services.

The tragic incident occurred near Majia town in the Taura local government area, around 530 kilometers (330 miles) north of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. Haruna Mairiga, head of Jigawa’s state emergency services, confirmed the death toll on Wednesday, while local police spokesperson Lawan Shiisu Adam explained that the tanker had been traveling from Kano to Yobe State when the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to spill petrol.

As the fuel spread across the area, local villagers attempted to scoop it, sparking a deadly fire that engulfed the vicinity. The explosion led to the deaths of scores of residents, while 50 others were seriously injured and rushed to nearby hospitals in Ringim and Hadejia towns for treatment.

A mass burial was held on Wednesday for the victims of the tragedy, Mairiga confirmed.

Nigeria’s road infrastructure is plagued by poor maintenance and frequent accidents. Last month, another fuel tanker explosion in north-central Nigeria resulted in the deaths of at least 48 people, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by the country's hazardous roads. The combination of dilapidated infrastructure and unsafe fuel transport continues to pose a severe threat to the lives of Nigeria’s citizens.

Authorities have called for heightened safety measures, but accidents like these remain tragically common in the nation, which is also facing severe security challenges and a growing cost-of-living crisis.