ABUJA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of an explosion from a crashed gasoline tanker in central Nigeria over the weekend has risen to 98, after 12 seriously injured victims succumbed in hospital, local authorities said.

The tanker overturned, spilling its contents on a busy road in the Dikko area of the north-central state of Niger Saturday, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, head of the local emergency management agency, told reporters Sunday.

An explosion occurred just as people were trying to scoop fuel. The ensuing fire engulfed the area and affected at least 20 shops.

The switch-on of a power generator at the site reportedly triggered the blast.

Baba-Arah said the number of injured, earlier thought to be 55, had risen to 69 as more victims were found during the rescue operation.

"The Niger State Emergency Management Agency is doing all it can to provide needed support to other injured victims," he said.

President Bola Tinubu has directed relevant authorities to provide comprehensive medical care to the injured and instructed security and road safety authorities to implement measures to avert similar incidents.

The president has also mandated the National Orientation Agency to initiate a nationwide campaign to raise public awareness about the severe risks and environmental dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers.

Gasoline tanker explosions are not uncommon in Nigeria, often causing heavy casualties. Enditem

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