Fuel Truck Explodes in Nigeria

VOA News
January 12, 2008

A speeding fuel truck crashed Saturday and burst into flames in Nigeria's main southern city of Port Harcourt, incinerating at least 30 people and engulfing a number of vehicles and shops.

Nigerian authorities do not think the blast was related to Friday's fuel ship explosion at Port Harcourt. A rebel group has claimed responsibility for that blast.

The rebel Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta rose to prominence last year with a string of kidnappings of foreign oil workers, as well as attacks on oil company property. Rebels have pledged to continue attacks against pipelines, platforms and workers in order to halt oil exports.

The attacks have reduced the country's oil output.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.