At least 37 people have reportedly died after inhaling toxic fumes during an illegal petroleum product loading operation at Okari Jetty in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The tragic incident reportedly occurred around midnight on Thursday when youths from Okrika and neighbouring communities gathered at the jetty to load petroleum products from an alleged illegal tapping point.
According to community sources, more than 100 people had arrived at the location in locally made boats while a vessel was reportedly anchored along the riverside to load petroleum products.
Trouble reportedly began when a strong smell suddenly filled the area, causing several people to collapse. Some victims reportedly fell into the river, while others who escaped were said to have developed serious respiratory complications and were taken to hospitals for treatment.
The Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, confirmed reports of the incident, stating that no fewer than 37 people suspected to have been involved in illegal oil activities died after inhaling fumes from a petroleum product locally known as “Indorama Fuel.”
Dumnamene said many others remained missing, while some bodies were reportedly seen floating on the river.
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He called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to immediately investigate the incident and urged the company whose facilities were allegedly vandalised to strengthen security around its pipelines.
The Rivers State Police Command also confirmed the incident. Its spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, said the victims were reportedly attempting to steal crude oil, adding that an investigation had commenced to determine what happened.
However, the Commander of the Civilian JTF in Okrika LGA, Igwe Godswill, gave a different account. He said the victims had allegedly gone to scoop petroleum products that had spilled into the river when they were overwhelmed by fumes from a vessel loading products at the jetty.
Godswill said about 10 bodies had been recovered at the time of his statement, with some victims yet to be identified due to the condition of their remains.
He appealed to the Rivers State Government, community leaders and other stakeholders to create legitimate employment opportunities for young people in the area, warning that lack of livelihood opportunities could continue to push youths toward dangerous activities.
Authorities are expected to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy as search and recovery efforts continue.
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