![A man stands at the site of the illegal refinery explosion in Emohua, Niger Delta, Nigeria [AP Photo]](https://titapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Nigeria-oil-and-gas.webp)
At least 18 people, including a pregnant woman, have tragically lost their lives in a devastating explosion at an illegal oil refinery in southern Nigeria. The incident occurred in the Emohua district of Rivers State on Monday, when a homemade refinery ignited a nearby oil reservoir, resulting in a massive blaze that left victims severely burned.
According to a report by AFP news agency, the fire outbreak took place in the late hours of Monday. Sadly, 18 victims were burnt beyond recognition, while 25 injured individuals were rescued, as confirmed by Olufemi Ayodele, spokesman for the local Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Among the victims were mostly youths, including a pregnant woman and a young lady who was preparing for her upcoming marriage ceremony next month.
However, another report by Reuters news agency, citing a local Ibaa community leader, suggests that the death toll may be even higher. The community leader stated that as many as 37 people lost their lives in the blaze. He further explained that 35 individuals were caught in the fire, and two lucky survivors who managed to escape unfortunately succumbed to their injuries in the hospital on Tuesday.
Illegal oil refining is a prevalent issue in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, where impoverished locals tap into pipelines to extract fuel for sale. This practice, which often involves crude methods such as boiling oil in drums, poses significant risks and has resulted in numerous deadly incidents over the years.
Nigeria, as an OPEC member and one of Africa’s largest petroleum producers, has been striving to crack down on illegal crude refineries. However, these efforts have seen limited success, partly due to the involvement of influential politicians and security officials, according to local environmental groups. Additionally, the country has been grappling with challenges such as crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and legal disputes related to oil spills. These factors have prompted some oil majors operating in Nigeria to divest from onshore and shallow water assets and focus on deepwater operations instead.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with illegal oil refining and the urgent need for stronger measures to address this issue. The loss of innocent lives highlights the importance of prioritizing safety and implementing effective regulations to prevent such devastating incidents from occurring in the future.