Nigerian football fans electrocuted while watching Europa League match

A number of football lovers were electrocuted in southern Nigerian town of Calabar on Thursday night while watching the Europa league match between Manchester United and Anderlecht.

The incident occurred when high tension cables from a nearby transformer fell on a local football viewing centre built with zinc roofing sheets.

“Twenty eight of the victims died on the spot while two died in the hospital. About 50 others were injured,” Nigerian news agency NAN reports.

The cables fell on the structure after the transformer exploded twice leaving dozens injured and receiving treatment at a neighbouring hospital.

The Cross River State police spokesperson, Irene Ugbo confirmed the incident to the media saying 7 bodies were found 11 injured people including one in critical condition have been taken to the hospital.

The Governor of the Cross River State, Ben Ayade commiserated with the victims of the tragedy and promised to launch an investigation into the incident.

“The incident marks a dark chapter in the life of the state where the precious lives of football lovers have been lost,” he said in a statement on Friday.

Local football viewing centres are popular in Nigeria with dozens of people gathering under structures to watch football games on television.

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