Blast at Fuel Depot Near Nigeria Kills 35
A horrific explosion ripped through a fuel depot near the Nigeria border on Saturday, killing at least 35 people and injuring many more. The town of Seme-Podji was rocked by a massive fire that engulfed a warehouse storing smuggled fuel.
Fire Sparks Panic as Black Smoke Towers Over Marketplace
Witnesses say the blaze started during the unloading of gasoline bags, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Shocking footage shared on social media and verified by Al Jazeera shows thick black smoke and roaring flames shooting into the sky, with locals fleeing the scene in terror.
Fuel Smuggling Blamed for Deadly Inferno
Benin’s Interior Minister Alassane Seidou confirmed the fire was linked to smuggled fuel, a dangerous trade booming along the border with Nigeria. “The victims’ bodies were badly charred,” he revealed. Illegal refineries and fuel depots in the area have long been fire hazards.
Justice Ministry Opens Probe into Disaster
The tragedy has prompted an urgent investigation by Benin’s justice ministry to uncover the exact cause and prevent future disasters in this volatile region.
