Tragedy as fire explosion kills 100 at Rivers’ bunkery site

By Famous Ozobo
&Teide Emomotimi

Pandemonium greets the peaceful harbour of Port Harcourt , Rivers state where over 100 persons have been confirmed dead in a fire explosion at a popular bunkery site in the state.

The incident occurred in the popular local oil refinery site located in Omoku, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State

It was learnt that the midnight fire occurred as a result of technical fault, and quickly overwhelmed everyone in the area.

According to a security source, who pleaded on the condition of annomity told the Nation news that the site was like a market when the big bang and inferno occurred suddenly.

The source added: “It was one of the biggest illegal refinery sites in Rivers. It is located in a boundary between Rivers and Imo states. The place attracted many buyers of illegally refined products.

“They were already there with the vehicles waiting to load the products when an explosion occurred and fire rapidly spread and killed all of them.

“Many burnt bodies littered the ground and some who attempted to climb trees for protection were burnt with their bodies hanging on tree branches. It was a major disaster”.

However, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO), Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC) confirmed that over 100 persons died at the site.