No fewer than 55 persons died in Niger Republic tank truck blast.

According to the Nigerien authorities, the accident occurred near an airport in the capital city of Niamey, when people tried to syphon gasoline from a cistern.

The Interior Ministry stated that at least “55 people had died in a tank truck blast in Niamey on Sunday night.”

Witnesses told AFP that the truck had overturned on railway tracks, later exploding when people tried to collect fuel that was leaking from it.

The authorities also stated that many other victims have been admitted to hospital following the incident.

"The toll from the explosion is 55 dead and 36 injured",  an Interior Ministry spokesman confirmed.