Four Dead, Dozens Injured as Warri-Itakpe Train Coaches Overturn

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the death of four passengers and injuries to several others following a train accident along the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor near Agbor in Delta State.

The accident, which occurred on Sunday, involved the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS), with preliminary reports indicating that four coaches capsized while another derailed.

According to the NRC, the deceased comprised two adult women, one adult man and an infant.

The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 9, by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Funsho Adebiyi.

....: NRC Confirms Incident Involving Warri–Itakpe Train Service

The corporation disclosed that 442 passengers had booked for the journey, while 40 crew members, security personnel and third-party service providers were also on board, bringing the total number of occupants on the train to 482.

Rescue and evacuation operations were immediately launched with support from the Delta State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local authorities and other emergency responders.

The NRC said the operation was completed by 6:30 p.m., with injured passengers evacuated to medical facilities in Agbor for treatment.

It added that 24 passengers sustained serious injuries, while several others suffered varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention.

The corporation also disclosed that one of its staff members suffered a traumatic limb injury and is currently in stable condition.

Among those on board the train were Senator Ede Dafinone and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Patrick Ukah.

The NRC extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

It also commended the Delta State Government, emergency responders, security agencies, medical personnel, the NRC Mechanical Directorate, the Special Rescue and Emergency Team, and members of the public for their swift response to the incident.

According to the corporation, the train’s full manifest has been retrieved and will be made available to relevant authorities, while efforts are ongoing to identify all injured and deceased passengers.

TVC News had earlier reported that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed an incident involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS), saying emergency response teams and relevant authorities were immediately deployed to the scene.