Tragedy struck on Monday when an accident involving the Ujevwu-Itakpe Train Service in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, claimed four lives and left 35 passengers injured.
The incident triggered panic among passengers and prompted an immediate emergency response by security agencies, medical personnel and local authorities.
Rescue teams swiftly moved to the scene to evacuate victims and provide urgent medical assistance to the injured. Survivors were also assisted away from the accident site as emergency operations continued.
Authorities confirmed that the remains of the four deceased victims were recovered and deposited in a mortuary, while injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Chairman of Ika North-East Local Government Council, Hon. Monday Odigwe, disclosed that 35 injured passengers were receiving medical attention in three hospitals within the area.
According to him, 13 victims were admitted at Central Hospital, Agbor, while 12 others were being treated at General Hospital, Owa-Oyibu. Another 10 injured passengers were receiving care at General Hospital, Owa-Alero.
Security personnel were also deployed to the scene to maintain order and safeguard passengers’ luggage and other valuables during the rescue operation.
To facilitate the evacuation process, buses were dispatched to transport survivors and injured passengers from the accident scene, while uninjured passengers were moved to safer locations.
Emergency responders worked for several hours to account for passengers and coordinate relief efforts.
Officials said arrangements were underway to lift and clear the affected train, with recovery operations expected to continue.
The cause of the accident had not been officially disclosed as of the time of filing this report, while relevant authorities were expected to commence a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The accident has sparked fresh concerns over rail safety along the Ujevwu-Itakpe corridor, one of Nigeria’s busiest standard-gauge railway routes, as families of victims and passengers await the outcome of investigations.
