“The fire broke out in an illegal bunkering site located on the border between Rivers State and Imo State,” a statement from the Nigerian Security and Civil Protection Corps (NSCDC) told CNN on Sunday.
It said the fire had “killed hundreds of men, women and children”, adding that the remains of some victims had been “burned beyond recognition”.
According to local media reports, emergency response teams counted 109 bodies, while others remain unaccounted for. In October last year, 25 people, including children, were killed in an explosion at an illegal refinery in Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s largest oil districts. .
Theft of oil and artisanal refining of crude oil is common practice in the delta region of the country. The practice involves boiling crude oil to extract fuel, which contributes to pollution in the region.
Government figures released last year and reported by Nigerian media show that more than 400,000 barrels of crude oil are lost from theft every day.
Add Comment