By Ken Afor
Thirty-five fatalities have been recorded at an illegal oil refinery in
Ibaa Community, Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State.
According to a Vanguard report, the fire broke out at the illegal oil refining site, late Sunday night, and all the people, numbering over 45, were affected.
Emmanuel Daniel, a local source, claimed that the victims had gone to trade in the petroleum product when the fire, which originated at the refining site, consumed them.
Daniel noted that people from Isiokpo Kingdom in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, Ibaa and Oduoha in Emohua LGA were affected.
Daniel narrated: “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 is close to the point where they were bagging the crude.
“Many Isiokpo and Oduoha people, and Ibaa people were there. Seven of the people died inside the pit where they were scooping the crude. About 10 were severely burnt in the pit.
“About 30 people died at the site while over 15 were rushed to the hospital. I heard that three of them have died while being rushed to the hospital.”
At press time, police could not confirm the development as the Police Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the state Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she would inform the outlet.
