In southwestern Nigeria, a fuel truck exploded as locals tried to siphon gasoline out of it, killing at least eight people, according to authorities on Monday.

The truck was involved in an accident on Sunday night that sent it off the road and onto its side in a neighborhood in Ondo state, according to the police.

"Some people went there to scoop fuel, in the process the tanker exploded," said Ondo state police spokesman Fumilayo Odunlami-Omisanya.

Since a long-standing subsidy was eliminated at the end of May, the price of gasoline has more than tripled, impacting both drivers and residents and small companies who use gasoline generators to generate electricity.

Tife Owolabi reported, MacDonald Dzirutwe wrote, and Miral Fahmy edited.