Okogbe Disaster: More corpses recovered from bush
July 16, 2012 in Nigerian Current Affairs
The death toll from last Thursday’s petrol tanker fire disaster in Okogbe, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State has continued to rise following the discovery yesterday of 18 more corpses from the bush around the scene. The corpses were suspected to be victims that fled into the bush while running from the explosion that fateful Thursday morning.
Although the actual casualty figure from the incident remained hazy at the time of this report this morning, sources in Okogbe told our reporter that 95 indigenes of the town have been buried between Thursday, when 85 victims were given mass burial, and yesterday (Sunday).
Nation Evening Express learnt that people from neighbouring towns like Olokogbo 1 and 2, Ochika, Oyiba, Uduekpe, Uduemez 1 and 2, Obolobo and other towns in Ahoada East council were also affected by the disaster. The number of victims from those towns are yet unknown.
Mr. Eze Gad Ewoh, Special
Adviser on Education to the council chairman, disclosed that the 18 corpses were recovered from the bushes through the community’s effort.
He said: “They are still bringing many casualties from the bush. Today (Sunday) they brought out 18 corpses from inside the bush, which they just finished burying now (Sunday evening).”
Chairman of the community’s task force, Mr. Biggie, told our reporter yesterday: “For now over 90 persons have been buried. There are many injured persons who may not make it. It is a very sad incident for this community.
via The Nation
