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Fire guts Rivers illegal oil refining site, 35 killed
No fewer than 35 people have been reported burnt to death at an illegal oil refining site in Rivers State.
The incident took place in the state’s Ibaa Community, part of the Emohua Local Government Area.
It was reported that a fire occurred late Sunday night at the illicit oil refinery site, affecting all of the individuals there—a total of over 45.
According to Emmanuel Daniel, a local source, the victims had gone to trade in the petroleum product when the fire that started at the processing site engulfed them.
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 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 of the state Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she would get back to this reporter later.
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