Tanker explosion kills 35 in Benin

A tanker truck has exploded in northern Benin, killing at least 35 people who were siphoning petrol, state radio reported today.

Benin’s National Radio said the truck overturned on the road last night and people converged to siphon petrol. The explosion in the crowd killed at least 35 and seriously injured others.

The explosion occurred in Porga, near the Burkina Faso border and about 300 miles north of Benin’s commercial hub of Cotonou, the radio said.

Benin’s is among the world’s poorest countries, ranked near the bottom of the UN quality-of-life index – 161st out of 177 nations.

Earlier this month in neighbouring Nigeria, some 200 impoverished villagers scavenging for free fuel were killed when petrol gushing from a ruptured pipeline exploded.