At Least 14 Killed in Nigeria Gasoline Tanker Fire

Police in north central Nigeria say at least 14 people have died after a gasoline tanker caught fire and exploded.

The Niger State police spokesman told The Associated Press on Thursday that some victims were trying to scoop gasoline from the tanker after it toppled over and turned on its sides late Tuesday in a town about 140 miles (230 kilometers) from Nigeria’s capital.

Pius Edobor said the tanker’s driver had lost control of the vehicle carrying 33,000 liters of gasoline.

He said many were injured and that nearby homes had been consumed by the fire.

The accident comes two months after a similar incident killed at least 95 people in Nigeria’s oil-producing region.

Despite decades producing oil, the majority of Nigerians live on less than $2 a day.