LAGOS, Nigeria

The death toll from the fuel tanker explosion in Nigeria's north-central state has risen to 60, an official said on Monday.  

Ibrahim Husseini, a spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, told Anadolu that the death toll reached 60 as more bodies were recovered by the efforts of the agency’s search operation. 

"The agency's rapid response team recovered nine dead bodies, pulling out some under the rubbles of the burnt vehicles,” he said, adding that three people, who were seriously injured, succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. 

On Sunday, a fuel tanker exploded following a collision with another truck in the Agie area. 

Authorities confirmed over 50 cattle were burnt alive due to the explosion. 

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago described the incident as unfortunate, extending his sympathy to the bereaved families and communities.