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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Disasters & Emergencies

FG confirms four dead, 24 injured in Warri-Itakpe train derailment

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Four people, including two women, one man, and an infant, died in a train accident near Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria.
  • The Warri-Itakpe Train Service derailed, causing four coaches to capsize and one to derail, injuring 24 others.
  • The Federal Government confirmed the casualties and stated that rescue operations were completed, with injured passengers taken to medical facilities.

A tragic train accident along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service corridor near Agbor, Delta State, has resulted in the deaths of four people and serious injuries to 24 others. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the incident on Tuesday, stating that preliminary findings indicate four coaches capsized and one derailed.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) regrets to confirm that a serious train accident occurred yesterday along the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor near Agbor, Delta State.

— Nigerian Railway CorporationConfirmation of the train accident and its location.

The deceased were identified as two adult females, one adult male, and one infant passenger. The train was carrying a total of 442 passengers, along with 40 crew members, security personnel, and third-party service providers, bringing the total number of individuals on board to 482. Among the passengers were notable figures like Senator Ede Dafinone and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Patrick Ukah.

Preliminary reports indicate that four coaches capsized while one coach derailed, resulting in the unfortunate loss of four lives, comprising two adult females, one adult male, and one infant passenger.

— Federal Ministry of TransportationDetails on the cause of the accident and the number of fatalities.

Rescue and evacuation efforts were immediately launched with the support of the Delta State Government, NEMA, FRSC, the Police, Civil Defence, and other emergency responders. The operations concluded by 6:30 p.m., and injured passengers were transported to medical facilities in Agbor for treatment. One NRC staff member sustained a traumatic limb injury and is reported to be in stable condition.

Rescue and evacuation operations were immediately activated with the support of the Delta State Government, NEMA, FRSC, the Police, Civil Defence, local authorities, security agencies, and other emergency responders, and were completed by 6:30 p.m.

— Federal Ministry of TransportationDescription of the immediate response and completion of rescue operations.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished for the swift recovery of all those injured. The ministry also acknowledged the prompt intervention of the Delta State Government and the emergency responders.

The Ministry and the NRC extend their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the quick recovery of all those injured.

— Federal Ministry of TransportationOfficial condolences and well wishes for the injured.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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