The death toll from the tanker explosion in Essa community, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, has jumped to 57.
The tragic incident happened on October 21, 2025, when a petrol tanker overturned and spilled its contents. Residents reportedly attempted to scoop the fuel, triggering a massive explosion.
At the time, the disaster was said to have claimed over 35 lives and left many others with varying degrees of injuries.
Confirming the latest development, the Director of Information and Linkages of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, Dr Ibrahim Hussaini, said that the death toll has now risen to 57, while 52 victims are currently receiving treatment in different hospitals.
He clarified that those who died were among the 14 critically injured victims of the huge blast.
Head of the Minna Operations Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hussaini Isah, had in a statement on October 24, 2025, said that 46 people had lost their lives as one more person gave up the ghost to injuries, while about 63 others were still receiving treatment in several hospitals.
He had explained that the 45 fatalities comprised 12 males, 27 females, and 6 children, while the 63 injured victims included 24 males, 32 females, and 7 children.
According to Isah, “All the deaths and injured persons were as result of scooping attitudes. Some of the victims were initially evacuated to Essa Primary Health Care, Idris Private Hospital, but were later moved to Umaru Sanda General Hospital Bida and Bida Federal Medical Centre. But 14 critically injured were referred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for further treatment.”
