Tragedy in Rivers, 37 people died due to gas fumes

At least 37 people were reported killed, and many more missing after they raided an illegal tapping point for loading petroleum products in Okrika Local Government Area of ​​Rivers State.

They died on Thursday after inhaling smoke at the Okari Wharf in the Okrika Mainland area, where many youths from the town and nearby communities had reportedly gathered to load the products.

A source in the community told journalists that more than 100 people stormed the dock in locally made boats while a ship was anchored on the river bank to load petroleum products.

The source said the trouble started while the youths were loading the products, as a strong smell suddenly filled the air, causing some of the products to collapse.

“Many of them fell into the river, while others who managed to escape suffered serious respiratory problems and were hospitalized.

“As I speak to you, more than 37 bodies have been identified as Okrika people, while six others have not been identified and many are still missing,” said the source, who did not want to be named.

The Center for Youth and Environmental Advocacy also confirmed the incident, saying that a network of young volunteers and human rights defenders in the Niger Delta had reported that no fewer than 37 people suspected of being involved in illegal oil activities died after inhaling what the local community called “Indorama fuel.”

YEAC-Nigeria Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, said in a statement that the incident occurred around midnight on Thursday at Okari Pier.

“According to reports, no less than 37 people suspected of being oil thieves died after inhaling fuel called ‘Indorama Fuel’.

“There are still many more missing. The incident occurred when the product was illegally loaded onto the ship at the intercept point,” he said.

Dumnamene said the victims had connected the pipe to a tapping point on a pipeline that transports petroleum products from Indorama Eleme Petrochemical via the Port Harcourt Refinery to ships that reportedly come every two weeks to load products for export.

He added that the youths inhaled the product while a ship was loading and they simultaneously loaded it into a waiting ship from an illegal intercept point.

“This caused no less than 37 people to die. Many are still missing, and there are also bodies that were seen floating in the river but have not been found,” he said.

Dumnamene asked the National Oil Spill Response Agency to immediately carry out a joint investigative visit to the location of the incident.

He also urged the companies that own the damaged facilities to provide adequate security to their pipeline networks to prevent a repeat of similar incidents.

The YEAC-Nigeria boss condemned the alleged sabotage, and warned young people to stay away from oil and gas infrastructure due to the dangers associated with high-pressure pipelines.

He also called for alternative livelihood opportunities for youth in the Niger Delta, including the establishment of modular refineries and the legalization of traditional refineries.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident and said the victims were reportedly trying to steal crude oil.

Agabe, the Assistant Superintendent of Police, said no formal complaint had been lodged with the command but added that an investigation had begun.

“The suspects reportedly died while trying to steal crude oil, but to date no official complaint has been received regarding this incident.

“Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and establish the facts,” a police spokesperson said.