Warri-Itakpe Train Crash: Full Manifest Retrieved, FG, NRC Condole Families of Five Dead

Warri-Itakpe Train Crash: Full Manifest Retrieved, FG, NRC Condole Families of Five Dead

 

The Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have said the full manifest of passengers and crew members aboard the ill-fated Warri–Itakpe train has been retrieved, even as they extended condolences to the families of the five persons who lost their lives in Monday’s accident near Agbor, Delta State.

In a joint update on the incident, the ministry and the NRC said efforts were ongoing to identify all injured passengers and deceased victims for proper documentation, while assuring that relevant authorities would have access to the complete onboard manifest.

The agencies confirmed that five persons — four adults and a baby — died when four coaches of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) capsized and another derailed along the corridor. They added that 24 passengers sustained serious injuries, while several others suffered varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical treatment.

According to the statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, a total of 442 passengers had booked for the journey, while 40 crew members, security personnel and third-party service providers were on board, bringing the total number of persons on the train to 482.

The ministry said rescue and evacuation operations were immediately activated following the accident, with support from the Delta State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Police, Civil Defence, local authorities and other emergency responders.

The rescue efforts, which were completed by 6:30 p.m., also received assistance from the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Patrick Ukah.

The ministry and the NRC expressed their deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident.

They also commended the Delta State Government, emergency response agencies, security operatives, medical personnel, the NRC Mechanical Directorate and the corporation’s special rescue and emergency team for their swift intervention.

The statement added that a full investigation into the cause of the accident had commenced, assuring that authorities would continue to account for all passengers and provide necessary support to those affected by the tragedy.