*Oborevwori Mourns, Directs Immediate Govt Response
THE Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the death of at least three passengers following the derailment of the Warri–Itakpe train service at Agbor, along the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor in Ika South Local Council of Delta State.
NRC, in a statement on Monday, June 8, confirming the derailment, signed by its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Opeifa,
added that emergency response teams and relevant authorities were at the scene attending to the situation and providing necessary assistance, while the situation was being monitored and further updates will be provided.
The Presidency, in a later update, extended condolences to the families of the victims and Nigerians at large, adding that all passengers on board hade now been accounted for.
Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic train accident, which he described as heartbreaking and unfortunate.
Oborevwori, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, commiserated with the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those receiving treatment from injuries sustained in the incident.
The governor assured residents that the state government had swiftly mobilised relevant authorities to the scene to provide assistance to victims and ensure an effective emergency response.
Oborevwori said he had immediately directed the commissioner for Special Duties and chairmen of Ika South and Ika North-East Local Councils to move to the scene and coordinate rescue efforts.
He commended security agencies for their prompt intervention, disclosing that the state commissioner of Police was at the scene and had deployed adequate personnel to safeguard passengers’ luggage and other valuables in the train.
The statement also stated that those who sustained injuries were promptly evacuated to nearby hospitals for medical attention, while other survivors without injuries were moved to town, and remains of deceased victims deposited in the mortuary.
Oborevwori said to facilitate the evacuation process, buses were immediately dispatched to convey survivors and injured passengers from the scene.
Chairman of Ika North-East Local Government, Monday Odigwe, disclosed that 35 injured passengers were receiving medical attention, with 13 victims being treated at Central Hospital, Agbor; 12 at General Hospital, Owa-Oyibu; and 10 at General Hospital, Owa-Alero.
Odigwe noted that officials had received assurances that efforts would be made to lift up the train on Tuesday, June 9.
