Up to 65 people were confirmed killed in an auto accident in central Nigeria's Kogi state when a truck heavily loaded with fertilizer lost control and ran into a market, local media reported on Sunday.

An eye witness said 38 people were fatally injured and are receiving treatment at the Ayingba Specialist Hospital in Kogi state.

He said the driver of the trailer lost control on the hill of Allo River on Friday evening. Without any form of restraint, the vehicle sped from the hill, destroying and killing motor vehicle occupants.

The fuel in vehicles flattened by the trailer cause fire outbreaks at each and every point where it hit cars, trucks and motorcycles. The vehicle rammed into the village's market finally, which was full of people.

The sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Yomi Asaniyan, confirmed the accident.

Kogi State Governor Ibrahim Idris, who hurriedly visited the scene of the accident, could not hold back his emotion and broke down in tears after seeing the gory sight of the accident. He quickly declared a three-day mourning beginning on Saturday.

The governor also directed that the injured be quickly moved to the Lokoja Specialist Hospital and those whose conditions were critical be flown abroad for medical attention.

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