An attempt to steal oil from a pipeline in the Niger Delta in southern Nigeria ended in tragedy.
Modern.az reports that “Agence France-Presse” (AFP) disseminated information about this.
The publication writes that at least 37 people died as a result of the incident, suffocated by toxic fumes.
According to the agency, the incident occurred in the Okrika district of Rivers State, near a settlement. A group of illegal oil traders made an illegal connection to the pipeline to remove and sell crude oil. The toxic vapor released during the operation caused mass poisoning.
According to local NGOs, the bodies were found in the river. Many people are still reported missing.
It should be noted that the pipeline in question belongs to “Indorama Eleme Petrochemical” company, which exports oil produced from the Port Harcourt oil refinery abroad. Such illegal oil thefts are frequent occurrences in southern Nigeria.
