Abuja: At least 36 people were killed when a bus collided with an oil tanker that exploded as a result of the accident in southwest Nigeria, officials said on Saturday.
However Nigerian media reports claimed that 60 people were killed in the incident.
"Thirty six persons including children died in the accident involving a petrol tanker, a bus and a lorry along Benin-Ore road (in Edo State in southwest Nigeria)" said Jonas Agwu, the spokesman of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).
The collision yesterday caused the tanker to explode and 30 occupants of the bus died while four persons inside the tanker also lost their lives. Two children from a nearby mechanic workshop were also killed in the mishap while three persons were rescued.
A few days ago, 18 persons died after a collision between two buses in northern Nigeria.
The oil rich African country has one of the worst road accident cases on the continent.
The accidents are engendered by bad road networks, drivers` carelessness and poor monitoring and control of speed limits, officials said.
PTI
