Over 20 persons have been killed following an explosion from a vandalised oil pipeline in Omoku, Ogba/Egebema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was gathered that the incident occurred after the youths allegedly broke a pipeline belonging to one of the multinational oil firms operating in the areas.
They were allegedly using jerrycans and buckets to scoop fuel when the tragedy struck with many burnt beyond recognition.
“I was learnt that many persons suffered varying degrees of burns and were receiving treatment in different hospitals in the area,” an eyewitness told journalists.
“It was a very terrible incident. Imagine the death of 20 people in such a time. We leant some youths bust a company pipeline.
“If you go to the General Hospital and other private clinics in Omoku, you will see many of the injured people scattered all over the place in both government and private hospitals taking treatment,” he said.
Another source said inferno occurred as a result of attempts by suspected oil thieves to light mosquito coils.
“The leakage was from an obsolete pipeline belonging to one of the oil companies operating in the area,” he told DailyTrust.
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