Benin Illegal Fuel Depot Explosion’s Kills 34, Scores Injured

A minimum of 34 people have died following an explosion caused by contraband fuel in southern Benin.
According to a government official Interior Minister Alassane Seidou who confirmed the incident to newsmen on Saturday said  “A serious fire occurred in the town of Seme Podji,” near the border with Nigeria.

“Unfortunately we have 34 deaths including two babies. Their bodies are charred because the cause of the fire is smuggled fuel.”

The minister said another 20 people were being treated in hospital, including some in a serious condition

Nigeria is a major oil and gas producer and fuel smuggling is common along its borders, especially when the government maintained a subsidy to keep petrol prices low.

Details later…

AFP