At least 55 dead after fuel tanker explodes in Niger

At least 55 people were killed by the explosion of a fuel tanker in Niger from which they were siphoning gasoline after it overturned, the government said on Monday. The incident took place late Sunday night on the highway linking Niger's Diori Hamani international airport to the capital Niamey.

Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum said 55 charred bodies had been recovered from the scene and that 37 were being treated in nearby hospitals. A presidency statement released later on Monday said three victims had since succumbed to their wounds, raising the death toll to 58. Traffic accidents are common in West Africa, where roads are bad and safety standards poor.