200 dead in Nigeria pipeline blast, Red Cross confirms
Story Highlights
•"We can only recognize them through the skulls," Nigerian Red Cross official says
•Explosion rocked Lagos neighborhood after dawn
•People were seen rushing to collect fuel from ruptured pipleline before blast
•Similar explosion happened in May, killing 150 people in Lagos

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) -- At least 200 people were killed Tuesday when a pipeline carrying petroleum products exploded in Nigeria's biggest city of Lagos, a Red Cross official said. The death toll was expected to rise.

Ige Oladimeji, a senior official for the Nigerian Red Cross, said his workers had documented "over 200 and still counting."

"We can only recognize them through the skulls, the bodies are scattered over the ground," he said.

Hundreds of bodies could be seen jumbled and fused together in the raging flames at the blast site. Intense heat kept rescue workers back, as smoke billowed over the heavily populated Adule Egba neighborhood.

The blast shook the neighborhood after dawn, Nigerian Red Cross spokesman Umar Mairiga said. Raging fires were hindering further recovery, he said. Many people had been injured, he said.

It wasn't immediately clear what was flowing through the pipe. Witnesses said people had rushed to the ruptured pipeline to collect fuel when the flames ignited.

Nigerians often tap into pipelines carrying refined fuel, scooping up the raw product in buckets or plastic bags. Spilled fuel spreading in pools sometimes ignites, immolating people nearby.

In May, more than 150 people died in a similar explosion in Lagos.

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, but corruption, poor management and limited refining capacity often leaves the country short of fuel for vehicles and stoves.

Shortages in recent days have prompted hours-long lines at Lagos filling stations.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
 
 

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 26.12.2006 07:53

e.w  Villager

# 2 Here we go again. Who is to blame? Govt Oil companies Oil distributors Nigeria we hail. Another legacy of OBJOKE Posted by e.w| 26.12.2006 08:19

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 3 200 Or More Persons Killed in Lagos Pipeline Explosions in Lagos! December 26, 2006 Pipeline Explosion in Nigeria Kills More Than 200 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 7:57 a.m. ET LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) -- At least 200 people were killed Tuesday when a gasoline pipeline exploded in Nigeria's biggest city of Lagos, a Red Cross official said. The death toll was expected to rise. Ige Oladimeji, a senior official for the Nigerian Red Cross, said his workers had documented ''over 200 and still counting.'' ''We can only recognize them through the skulls, the bodies are scattered over the ground,'' he said. Workers ''can't get close enough because the fire is still burning.'' Witnesses said the pipeline ruptured shortly after midnight and that people had been collecting leaking fuel in plastic cans for hours before the explosion. It wasn't clear what caused the initial rupture in the pipeline or the later explosion. Hundreds of bodies could be seen jumbled and fused together in the raging flames at the blast site. Intense heat kept rescue workers back as smoke billowed over the heavily populated Adule Egba neighborhood. The blast shook the neighborhood after dawn, Nigerian Red Cross spokesman Umar Mairiga said. He said 16 bodies had been taken to the morgue, but raging fires were hindering further recovery. Many people had been injured, he said. Nigerians often tap into pipelines carrying refined fuel, scooping up the raw product in buckets or plastic bags. Spilled fuel spreading in pools sometimes ignites, immolating people nearby. In May, more than 150 people died in a similar explosion in Lagos. Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, but corruption, poor management and limited refining capacity often leave the country short of fuel for vehicles and stoves. Shortages in recent days have prompted hours-long lines at Lagos filling stations. Posted by I Love Nigeria| 26.12.2006 09:23

ithinkbetter  Villager

# 4 . Petrol hits N250 per litre in Lagos . Posted by ithinkbetter| 26.12.2006 09:25

Auspicious  Villager

# 5 ...and when the western media comments on the state of our affairs, describing ever so accurately the "disgrace" of our cities and management of our affairs, some of us are quick to give vent to righteous (albeit, misplaced) anger: "How dare they stain us?"; "Who does Brian Ross (of ABC) think he is to call our Lagos a 'filthy, lawless disgrace of a city'?" "The western media is out to keep us down - they hate Nigeria". The truth is that we are a disgrace as a nation-state. And that black oil is a deadly curse, rather than a blessing, on Nigeria... Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious| 26.12.2006 09:39

docokwy  Villager

# 6 =Auspicious;145630>...and when the western media comments on the state of our affairs, describing ever so accurately the "disgrace" of our cities and management of our affairs, some of us are quick to give vent to righteous (albeit, misplaced) anger: "How dare they stain us?"; "Who does Brian Ross (of ABC) think he is to call our Lagos a 'filthy, lawless disgrace of a city'?" "The western media is out to keep us down - they hate Nigeria". The truth is that we are a disgrace as a nation-state. And that black oil is a deadly curse, rather than a blessing, on Nigeria... Auspicious. A dirge for Obasanjo's upside-down Nigeria. Citizens are once again killed by their thievery. Scooping volatile hydrocarbon from punctured pipelines Greed and poverty combined Yet again despatch people to the great beyond No pity for the thieving dead though. But poverty caused by their (mis)rulers Brought this calamity upon them In same manner, I pray OBJ dies And hot on his heels may Atiku follow Then all the other thieving rulers in toe North, East, West and South For putting us through so much pain and agony May they die unsung Buried in unmarked graves Like these charred remains of now faceless humans That are never to be recognised In all of this however Nigeria will yet make or mar But only time will tell. Posted by docokwy| 26.12.2006 09:57

EezeeBee  Villager

# 7 = Auspicious>...and when the western media comments on the state of our affairs, describing ever so accurately the "disgrace" of our cities and management of our affairs, some of us are quick to give vent to righteous (albeit, misplaced) anger: "How dare they stain us?"; "Who does Brian Ross (of ABC) think he is to call our Lagos a 'filthy, lawless disgrace of a city'?" "The western media is out to keep us down - they hate Nigeria". The truth is that we are a disgrace as a nation-state. And that black oil is a deadly curse, rather than a blessing, on Nigeria... Auspicious. Auspicious, while I concede that the followership (including you and I) bear some responsibility for the state of affairs in Nigeria, surely you can see that the affairs of state are directed by a small cadre of 'leaders' (really rulers) who are the true disgrace. I still feel it is unfair for a Brian Ross of ABC to make comments tarring all people with the same brush for the activities of a few - a sentiment I think you have expressed on these boards severally in regards to people of certain ethnic nationality in Nigeria. Undoubtedly, this is ANOTHER waste of humanity caused by LEADERSHIP in the petroleum distribution sector of Nigeria's economy. Who are the 'rulers' there? Those are the ones to blame. Everyone burned in this latest incident lost their lives because of that select group of rulers, NOT because of you and I. However, as long as those rulers continue to exist, what am I going to do about it? Sit here and complain? Posted by EezeeBee| 26.12.2006 10:44

Correct Bobo  Villager

# 8 The Video! Sad Posted by Correct Bobo| 26.12.2006 11:05

blackscorpion  Villager

# 9 This is very sad.Just two months ago the federal goverment gave Frank Nweke a blank cheque to junket around the world to convince the western media and the diaspora in general that Nigeria is not as bad as is being projected. The last count petrolwas selling for 250 per litre in the black market which translates to 5000 naira for a 20 litre can. If there is no market for this commodity no sane human being will go and sabotage the pipeline.A nation that pays mind boggling amounts to procure photographs for a private library for which 50billion naira(someone pls tell me i am wrong) Delegates were paid in cash at bogus conventions and our president and his deputy are trading scam allegations in naira as if it is in italian lira. Someone once told me that sad instances are so frquent now that it is becoming a way of life.When was the last time hundreds perished in similar circumstances. It is very sad,there is no program from the government about disaster management,we will never bget an accurate figure of how many lives were lost talkless of the identities. God help us Posted by blackscorpion| 26.12.2006 11:31

Rose  Villager

# 10 The loss of human life and suffering is very sad. I'm so sorry to hear about this explosion. Posted by Rose| 26.12.2006 11:35

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