On Sunday an explosion caused by petrol at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) jetty, Okrika, Rivers state. Seven persons are feared dead and scores of others severely injured from the explosion.

There was however no official confirmation of casualty figures as at press time as officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said they were yet to get the figures.

The Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Tamuno Williams, who confirmed the incident, said the fire broke out when pipeline vandals were siphoning petroleum products from the pipelines belonging to the NNPC at a jetty near Okrika.

Williams appealed to the management of the NNPC to provide adequate protection and security for their pipelines and equipment to protect the lives of the people of Okrika.

However, sources in the area said not less than seven persons were dead in the early morning explosion.

They said those injured suffered severe burns and had been taken to undisclosed hospitals for treatment.

When contacted, the South-south Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Emenike Umesi, confirmed the incident but said the casualty figures would be made available later in the day.

Contrary to earlier reports, Umesi said he was unware of deaths caused by the explosion.