Agip pipeline explosion kills 12, injuries 3 persons in Bayelsa

NEDU MARK, YENAGOA

Pipeline explosion in Bayelsa state has killed twelve persons suspected to be oil workers and other workers who were repairing leaking pipes owned by Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC located at Southern Ijaw Area.
The explosion, our correspondent gathered, occurred on Thursday afternoon at Agip Tebidaba truck line oil field located at Azuzuama community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Sources said three others were injured in the explosion at an oil spill site operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) where a Joint Investigation Visit ( JIV) was ongoing.
Bayelsa state Ministry of Environment confirmed the explosion and said five of its staff are still missing in the operation.
Officials of NAOC, representatives of the host community and Bayelsa Ministry of Environment were investigating the cause of a recent oil spill in the area.
A statement issued by Eni Spokesman Mr Filipo Cotalini, the parent company of NAOC, said the cause of the explosion is being investigated.
“Eni informs that an explosion occurred yesterday, 9 July late afternoon, at the site of the repair works of the Tebidaba-Clough Creek line, an oil pipeline in Nigeria’s onshore Niger Delta, previously damaged by acts of sabotage.
“The explosion resulted in the death of 12 members of the maintenance team of a local company of services, with 3 others being injured.
“The causes of the incident are still under investigation by both Eni and the local authorities.
“The company expresses its deepest condolences to the families of those involved in this tragic accident,” the firm stated.
A source in Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment confirmed that its staff on the visit were safe and unhurt.
Three of the victims of the explosion were rushed to Okolobiri Teaching Hospital, Yenagoa for treatments on Thursday night.
Among the victims were two persons who were severely burnt and preparations were underway to move them out of the state for further treatment at the time of filling this report.
Sources from the state ministry of Environment insisted that one of its staff who joined in the operation is still missing. Investigations are ongoing to know the root cause of the accident.
Efforts to get the Bayelsa state Commissioner for Environment, Iniro Wills, to comment on the incident have been unsuccessful.
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa state Police command, Asini Butswat an Assistant Superintendent of Police said the Command was yet to get details of the gas explosion.