Nigeria
At least 30 people were killed when a petrol pipeline caught fire and exploded in southeast Nigeria after a raid by suspected oil thieves, a survivor and officials said on Saturday.
The incident happened in the town of Aba on Friday when vandals burst the pipeline operated by the state-run Pipeline and Product Marketing Company.
Vanguard News Nigeria https://t.co/aqmLWAnN7g
— Vanguard Newspapers (@vanguardngrnews) October 13, 2018
“The incident occurred at about 1:30 am. Those burnt are more than 30 with many others sustaining injuries,” said Nnamdi Tochukwu, a survivor on his hospital bed in nearby Asaba.
A security officer, who did not want to be identified, confirmed the death toll.
“Over 30 bodies were burnt at the scene before the arrival of security operatives while many others are currently receiving medical attention at various hospitals within and outside the town,” the officer said.
The spokesman for Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation said the victims were vandals who attempted to scoop petrol from the pipeline.
“I can’t give the exact number of casualties for now, but the explosion was caused as a result of oil thieves who had hacked the line to intercept the flow of petrol from the Port Harcourt refinery to Aba,” Ndu Ughamadu told AFP.
Pipeline Explosion In Abia Kills Many [Photos] https://t.co/9BHQfLutMp #BiesloadedUpdates
— CEO Of Biesloaded Nigeria (@CeoBiesloaded) October 12, 2018
AFP
01:00
Benin grants temporary authorization for export of Nigerien oil
01:02
Pics of the day: May 14, 2024
00:58
Nigeria: Unions protest electricity price hike following removal of subsidies
00:51
Niger says Benin's blockade of its oil exports violates trade agreements
01:59
Meghan Markle says it was "humbling" to discover she is part-Nigerian
01:01
Niger-Benin pipeline: Diplomatic tensions threaten oil exports