Rivers Oil Tragedy: 37 Die From Toxic Fumes

About 37 people have reportedly died after inhaling toxic fumes at Okari Jetty in Okrika, Rivers State, while several others remain missing.

The incident occurred around midnight on Thursday at the jetty in Okrika Mainland, where youths from Okrika and neighbouring communities had reportedly gathered to load petroleum products into locally made boats.

Community accounts said more than 100 people were at the waterfront while a vessel was anchored nearby. During the operation, a strong smell reportedly spread across the area, causing several people to collapse.

Some victims were said to have fallen into the river, while others who escaped reportedly developed severe breathing difficulties and were taken to hospitals.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre confirmed that at least 37 people died after inhaling what residents referred to as “Indorama fuel.” The organisation said many others remained missing and that some bodies had reportedly been seen floating in the river.

YEAC Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, said the victims were suspected of involvement in illegal oil activities. According to him, the youths allegedly connected a pipe to an illegal tapping point on a pipeline carrying petroleum products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility through the Port Harcourt Refinery corridor to vessels loading products for export.

He said the youths were transferring petroleum products into waiting boats while a vessel was simultaneously loading, exposing those at the site to dangerous fumes.

However, the Rivers State Police Command gave a different account, saying the victims were reportedly attempting to steal crude oil. Police spokesperson Blessing Agabe confirmed the incident and said no official complaint had been received, while an investigation was underway.

Civilian JTF Commander in Okrika, Igwe Godswill, disputed the description of the victims as oil thieves. He said they had gone to scoop petroleum products that had spilled into the river and were overwhelmed by fumes from a vessel loading at the jetty.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about illegal oil activities, pipeline tampering and the dangers facing communities around petroleum infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

He also called for alternative livelihoods to reduce dependence on dangerous oil activities.