Tragedy Strikes as Illegal Oil Refining Site Explosion Claims Dozens of Lives in Rivers State

Tragedy struck as approximately 35 people are feared dead following a devastating explosion at an illegal oil refining site in Ibas Community, Emuoha Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Reports indicate that the tragedy unfolded late on a Sunday night when a group of over 40 individuals from the community were engaged in scooping petroleum products at the site. The victims had been involved in selling the illicitly refined product when disaster struck, engulfing the area in flames.

According to a local source named Emmanuel, the fire originated from a nearby refining site, spreading rapidly and catching those present off guard. Tragically, a significant number of individuals from neighboring communities, including Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Ibaa, and Oduoha in Emohua LGA, were also affected by the explosion.

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Emmanuel revealed, “More than 40 people were there at the site. They were there scooping and bagging crude oil when the place caught fire. The fire came from a refining site that was close to the point where they were bagging the crude. Many Isiokpo, Oduoha, and Ibaa people were there. Seven of the people died inside the pit where they were scooping the crude. About 10 burnt to charcoal by the pit.”

Tragically, the catastrophe claimed approximately 30 lives at the scene, with more than 15 individuals rushed to the hospital for emergency medical care. Regrettably, it has been reported that three of these victims lost their lives while being transported to the hospital.

As the community grapples with this devastating incident, questions regarding the safety of such illegal refining activities loom large. Efforts to ascertain the full extent of the tragedy and the circumstances leading up to it are ongoing, with local authorities and law enforcement agencies investigating the incident.

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