At Least 37 Dead After Inhaling Hazardous Fumes in Pipeline Incident

At least 37 people have died after allegedly inhaling toxic fumes while trying to steal fuel from an oil pipeline in Nigeria, according to a local environmental group.

The deadly incident happened Thursday, Sept. 3, in Okrika, a community in Rivers State, after more than 100 people reportedly gathered near a pipeline to collect fuel.

The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, known as YEAC-Nigeria, said its network confirmed that at least 37 people died after breathing in fumes from what it described as “Indorama fuel,” a form of refined gasoline known locally as Premium Motor Spirit, or PMS.

The group said the victims had allegedly connected a pipe to a tapping point along a pipeline carrying fuel from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical facility through the Port Harcourt Refinery and toward vessels used for export.

Authorities believe those who died may have been attempting to steal the fuel.

According to YEAC-Nigeria, some of the people at the scene were allegedly loading the product into boats when the incident occurred.

The group also warned that the death toll could rise because several people remain missing.

“Many are still missing, and some corpses have been seen floating on the river but have not yet been recovered,” YEAC-Nigeria said in a statement.

Gasoline fumes can be extremely dangerous because they contain toxic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene. Exposure to high concentrations can cause serious health problems and, in some cases, can be fatal.

Rivers State police spokesperson ASP Blessing Kaborlo Agabe said authorities are now investigating exactly what happened.

An “investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ascertain the facts,” Agabe said.

Okrika is located in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, one of the most important regions for the country’s massive oil and gas industry.

The area has also struggled for years with oil theft, with people illegally tapping pipelines and siphoning crude oil or refined fuel into boats and storage tanks. The stolen product is often sold on the black market or taken to illegal refineries.

Nigeria’s military and navy have stepped up operations against oil theft in recent years, increasing patrols and targeting illegal refining sites throughout the region.

Following the deadly incident, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, director of naval information, issued a warning to anyone involved in stealing fuel.

“Their days are numbered, and if we catch you, of course, we’ll ensure that you face the law,” Folorunsho said.

Officials are continuing to search for missing people and determine the full number of victims.