37 Reportedly Die After Inhaling Petroleum Fumes At Okrika Jetty

At least 37 people have reportedly died after inhaling fumes from a petroleum product during illegal loading activities at Okari Jetty in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday night.

The incident occurred around midnight when more than 100 youths from Okrika and neighbouring communities reportedly gathered at the jetty with locally made boats to load the product from an illegal tapping point.

A community source said trouble started when a strong smell suddenly filled the area, causing several people to collapse, with some falling into the river while others escaped with serious breathing difficulties.

The source said more than 37 bodies had been identified as Okrika residents, while six others remained unidentified and several people were still missing.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, YEAC-Nigeria, confirmed the incident, saying its network of volunteers and human rights defenders reported that the victims died after inhaling what is locally known as “Indorama fuel.”

YEAC Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, said the victims allegedly inhaled the fumes while illegally loading the petroleum product into their boats as a vessel simultaneously loaded the product for export.