Pipeline exploded in Nigeria
December 26, A pipeline carrying petroleum products exploded in Nigeria’s largest city of Lagos. At least 200 people were killed. Hundreds of bodies could be seen jumbled and fused together in the raging glames at the blast site. In May, more than 150 people died in a similar explosion in Logos.
Ige Oladimeji, A senior official for the Nigerian Red Cross, said that his workers had documented over 200 and still continuing. He also said that they could only recognise them through the skulls, the bodies weere scattered over the ground
Mr.Oladimeji said that the workers could not get close enough because the fire was burning. Nigerian Red Cross spokesman Umar Mairiga said that the blast shook the neighbourhood after dawn. He said that many people had been injured and 16 bodies had been taken to the morgue. It was not immediately clear what was flowing in 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.
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.
