At least three people are feared dead and several others injured after a train operating on the Warri-Itakpe route derailed in Agbor, Delta State.
Emergency responders, security personnel and residents were at the scene on Monday, assisting victims and evacuating the injured for medical treatment.
The cause of the derailment was not immediately known. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, while officials are yet to confirm the casualty figure.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the accident in a statement, describing it as a serious incident along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service corridor.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirms a serious train accident at Agbor along the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor,” the corporation said.
It added that rescue and emergency operations were ongoing as authorities worked to establish the full extent of the accident.
“Rescue and emergency response operations are currently ongoing at the scene, while relevant authorities are working to ascertain the full extent of the incident,” the statement said.
The NRC did not provide details on casualties, injuries or the cause of the derailment but said updates would be issued as more information becomes available.
“Further details will be communicated as they become available,” the corporation added.
The statement was signed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa.
The Warri-Itakpe rail line, one of Nigeria’s major standard-gauge corridors, connects communities across Delta, Edo and Kogi states and serves both passenger and freight traffic. The incident is likely to raise fresh concerns about railway safety and operations on the route as investigations continue.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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