Dozens of charred bodies were buried in mass graves on Tuesday in Nigeria’s Imo state as the stench of decomposing flesh hung in the air after more than 100 people were killed during a weekend explosion at an illegal oil refinery.
A group of men, some bare chested and without shoes, used shovels to dig three graves at the site of the explosion, a swampy open space surrounded by burnt out cars and palm trees.
Before the burial, two local health officials fumigated the site and surrounding area.
With only plastic and flip flops covering their feet, men used makeshift stretchers to dump bodies in shallow graves, which quickly filled with water. No body bags were used.
“Because of the explosion here the corpses cannot be identified. His excellency, the governor mandated us to make sure that we should bury those that cannot be identified by their relatives,” said Marcel Amadioha, a chairman of the Ohaji-Egbema local government area of Imo state.
Amadioha said some relatives had managed to claim some bodies and took them for burial but more than 50 were unclaimed.
Ezechukwe Eze, a local chief, poured gin on the ground, saying this was meant to appease gods of the land and prevent future disasters.
Following the explosion, the worst since October, President Muhammadu Buhari said he would intensify the clampdown on illegal refineries, something previous governments have done with little success.
Unemployment and poverty in the oil producing Niger Delta means thousands of Nigerians continue to see illegal refining as a means of economic survival, but often with deadly consequences. Crude oil is tapped from a web of pipelines owned by major oil companies and refined in makeshift tanks.
The process has led to fatal accidents and polluted a region already blighted by oil spills in farmland, creeks and lagoons for decades.
Government officials estimate that Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer and exporter, loses an average of 200,000 barrels of oil per day, more than 10% of production, to theft or vandalised of pipelines.
Share on Facebook «||»
Share on Twitter «||»
Share on Reddit «||»
Share on LinkedIn
Read Related News On TDPel Media
Advertisement
Illegal Gold Refinery Uncovered in Gauteng: Foreign National Arrested Without Proper Documentation: …By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media. On May 16, 2023, Gauteng police made a significant arrest and discovered a fully operational gold refinery laboratory in...
Iyabo Ojo Expresses Grief Over Nigeria’s Recent Turmoil, Extends Prayers for Ibadan Explosion Victims and Kidnap Survivors: Iyabo Ojo, Renowned Nollywood Actress, Mourns Amidst Nigeria’s Recent Tragedies Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has shared her heartfelt condolences and prayers in response to the...
Dozen Illegal Immigrants Discovered Using Texas Storm Drains for Illegal Entry: The persistent challenges at the US-Mexico border continue to evolve, with the latest incident revealing a dozen illegal immigrants attempting to enter the United States...
Tragedy Unfolds: Maine Community Mourns Victims of Mass Shooting: Tragedy Strikes in Maine: Mass Shooting Claims Lives A multi-agency manhunt is underway for the suspect gunman, Robert Card, 40, responsible for a devastating mass...
Mixed Emotions: Relief and Unanswered Questions for Victims’ Families of Maine Mass Murder: Relief and Unanswered Questions for Victims’ Families Families of the victims in the tragic Maine mass murder by Robert Card expressed their mixed feelings of...
Maine Mourns: Candlelit Vigil Honors Victims of Tragic Mass Shooting: Community Gathers to Remember Maine Mass Shooting Victims Hundreds of mourners gathered for a candlelit vigil in Lisbon, Maine, to remember the victims of the...
Fast fading PROPHET OWUOR conducts a survey to see how many people follow him – Shocked by the outcome.: Thursday, 03 February 2022 – Prophet David Owuor’s church ministry is reportedly crumbling like the Biblical Tower of Babel. The self-proclaimed mighty prophet of God, who...
Saveetha Oral Cancer Institute Conducts a Free Cancer Screening and Awareness Program in Commemoration of World Cancer Day: Saveetha Oral Cancer Institute conducts a free cancer screening and awareness program in commemoration of world cancer day on 4th February 2022. Cancer becomes the...
UAEU conducts workshops on ‘Wellbeing’ at Expo 2020 Dubai: UAEU conducts workshops on ‘Wellbeing’ at Expo 2020 Dubai DUBAI, 7th February, 2022 -The Emirates Centre for Happiness Research at the United Arab Emirates University...
Indian state of Andhra Pradesh conducts investment event in Abu Dhabi: Indian state of Andhra Pradesh conducts investment event in Abu Dhabi ABU DHABI, 15th February 2022 – The south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh conducted...