Fuel tanker explosion destroys market in Nigeria's Benin City

A catastrophic fire consumed a major commercial hub in Benin City on Thursday after a fuel tanker lost control, overturned, and ignited in a burst of flames that engulfed the densely populated Oluku market.

The incident sent thick plumes of black smoke billowing across the area as the uncontrolled blaze spread rapidly through market stalls and surrounding structures. Emergency responders mobilized to contain the inferno and prevent it from spreading to adjacent neighborhoods.

Oluku market, a significant trading center in Edo State's capital, sustained substantial damage as the fire consumed merchandise and temporary structures. The exact toll of the disaster, including casualty figures and extent of economic losses, remained under assessment as authorities investigated the circumstances that led to the tanker's overturning.

The incident underscores persistent safety concerns regarding hazardous material transportation through congested urban areas in Nigeria, where overcrowded markets and inadequate infrastructure amplify the risks posed by such accidents.