Oil pipeline explosion kills 1,000 in Nigeria

1998 - More than 1,000 people were killed in an inferno that engulfed hundreds of people scavenging for petrol from a ruptured pipeline in the community of Jesse, southern Nigeria. Officials said that victims had been collecting petrol from the pipeline for resale on the black market for three days before a spark ignited the spillage. The officials blamed the spill on sabotage, saying that pipelines were vandalised either to steal fuel for resale or for political motives.