South Korea has responded to North Korea after the latter destroyed roads connecting the two countries, further heightening the already growing tensions between the neighbors.

Ekwutosblog gathered that according South Korea’s Ministry of Unification, responsible for managing relations between the two nations, condemned the act as “abnormal” and a clear violation of bilateral agreements between the two countries.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff revealed that their military fired “in retaliation” near the border after North Korea blew up the roads. Though these routes have not been used for some time, the destruction holds symbolic significance.

“North Korean has detonated parts of the Gyeongui and Donghae roads north of the military demarcation line,,” the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Seoul has not provided further details regarding the warning shots and has not confirmed whether North Korea responded.

Since Kim Jong Un declared South Korea as the “main enemy,” Pyongyang has fortified its border, laying more mines and positioning missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Last week, the North Korean regime announced it would block all roads and railways connecting the two countries after South Korea conducted military exercises with the United States.

Afuel tanker exploded overnight in northern Nigeria as it was surrounded by a crowd of people who had rushed to the scene of an accident to collect leaking petrol.

At least 94 people were burnt to death as fire engulfed the overturned vehicle, which had crashed, the police told the BBC.

Fifty others injured in the explosion have been taken to hospital in the nearby town of Ringim in Jigawa state and are in a critical condition.

Officers had warned people not to approach the tanker after the accident late on Tuesday night, but they were unable to contain the growing crowd, police spokesman Lawal Shiisu Adam said.

“We tried our best to stop people going to the vehicle to get petrol but despite cordoning the area we were overpowered and as people were scooping fuel, fire erupted,” he told the BBC.

The crash happened in the town of Majia in the northern state of Jigawa at around 23:30 local time (22:30 GMT), he said.

“The fuel tanker was coming from Kano and heading to Nguru in Yobe state when the driver lost control of the vehicle.”

The driver, who was not injured, has been taken into custody while the police conduct an investigation.

A distressing video has been shared on social media showing the moments after the fire erupted.

“Fire service and other emergency units rushed to the scene to help after the incident,” Mr Adam said.

Many of the victims were burnt beyond recognition. The bodies have been covered by tree branches to shield them from onlookers.

A mass burial was planned for later on Wednesday, Mr Adam said.

Fuel tanker explosions and accidents are common in Nigeria – often caused by the poor state of roads and badly maintained vehicles.

In September, 59 people died in Nigeria’s Niger state after a fuel tanker collided with a lorry carrying passengers and cattle.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused North Korea of escalating its military support, alleging that the Asian country is no longer limiting its assistance to equipment, but has sent personnel to the front lines alongside Russian troops.

The Ukrainian president spoke late last week about North Korea’s increased backing of its Russian ally by deploying soldiers to Ukraine.

“We see an increasing alliance between Russia and regimes like North Korea. This is no longer just about transferring weapons. It is actually about transferring people from North Korea to the occupying military forces,” he said.

He called on Ukraine’s allies to reassess their response to the relationship between the two countries, urging the West to provide more weapons.

“The front line needs more support. When we talk about giving Ukraine greater long-range capabilities and more decisive supplies for our forces, it’s not just a list of military equipment. It’s about increasing the pressure on the aggressor – pressure that will be stronger than what Russia can handle. And it’s about preventing an even larger war,” he emphasized.

(QG – Source : Al Jazeera / Picture: © Unsplash)