Rivers: 35 feared dead in illegal oil refining explosion

At least 35 people are feared dead after an explosion at an illegal oil refinery in Rivers State, Nigeria. The incident occurred on Monday, October 2, 2023, in the Rumekpe community of Emohua Local Government Area.

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According to local residents, the explosion occurred when a vehicle loaded with crude oil burst into flames while attempting to navigate the refinery. The fire quickly spread to other parts of the refinery, causing a massive explosion.

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Security officials and emergency responders have been deployed to the scene, but the death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are recovered from the wreckage.

Illegal oil refining is a common occurrence in Rivers State, and it has become a major source of environmental pollution and insecurity in the region. The Nigerian government has vowed to crack down on illegal oil refining, but the problem has persisted.

The latest explosion is a reminder of the dangers of illegal oil refining and the need for the Nigerian government to take more effective measures to address the problem.

Reactions to the explosion

The explosion has sparked outrage among Nigerians, who have called on the government to do more to stop illegal oil refining.

“This is a tragedy,” said one Twitter user. “The government needs to take this issue seriously and crack down on illegal oil refining once and for all.”

“This is not the first time this has happened,” said another user. “The government needs to act now to protect its citizens.”

The Nigerian government has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and promised to investigate the incident.

“The government is committed to fighting illegal oil refining and bringing those responsible to justice,” said a government spokesperson.

However, many Nigerians are skeptical of the government’s promises, given that it has failed to stop illegal oil refining in the past.