On July 23, 2000, a pipeline fire near the port of Warri in Delta State killed 40 people.
The victims were fuel scavengers who had gathered at the site when an explosion set off a massive blaze.
Emergency responders arrived hours after the fire started, but the intensity of the flames made rescue efforts difficult. By the time the fire was brought under control, 40 bodies had been recovered.
Local authorities have urged residents to stay away from pipeline facilities and warned against scavenging fuel from damaged lines.
Security agencies and oil company officials are at the scene assessing the damage and working to secure the area to prevent a recurrence.
July 23, 2007 3-storey building collapsed, killed six in Lagos
On July 23, 2007, six people were killed and several others trapped when a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Lagos.
Eyewitnesses and emergency officials said the incident occurred in the afternoon. The building, still under construction, came down suddenly and buried workers and passers-by under concrete and steel.
Rescue teams, including local emergency responders and volunteers, were mobilized immediately. By late evening, six bodies had been recovered from the debris. Several other people were pulled out alive with injuries and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
A number of people were still believed to be trapped as search and recovery operations continued into the night.
“We heard a loud crash and then dust everywhere,” said an eyewitness. “People started running and shouting for help. It happened very fast.”
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims. Officials said an investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the collapse, including whether building regulations and safety standards were followed during construction.
