TWO hundred and thirty-eight victims of Tuesday�s fuel pipeline fire at Awori, Lagos were given a mass burial overnight, according to the Nigerian Red Cross. At least seven of those rushed to different hospitals have died while health officials have disinfected the site of the explosion to prevent an epidemic.
Pope Benedict XVI and the United Nations have sent condolence messages to Nigeria on the tragedy.
�Two hundred and thirty-eight bodies were buried overnight,� Mr Ige Oladimeji of the Lagos State Red Cross said yesterday, adding that a second mass burial would be organised for the remainder, whose bodies were still in various hospitals and clinic morgues.
The 238 were not buried in a cemetery but on land given by a local community, Oladimeji said.
Executive Secretary of the Red Cross, Mr Abiodun Orebiyi, said 269 people died in the blast and fire and added that scores of others had been injured.
�As of 6:00 pm yesterday (Wednesday), we counted one by one 269 bodies while 65 others were taken to hospital,� Orebiyi said. The overwhelming majority of those who died were charred beyond recognition.
Health workers, in an attempt to avoid the spread of disease, moved the dead from the site of the blaze on Tuesday evening, Red Cross officials said. They then sprayed the site with disinfectant.
The Red Cross warned that the casualty figures could still rise. �The exact figure may not be completely known as some may still be in hiding and some others may die from their injuries,� Orebiyi said, meaning that local people who were hurt when the pipeline blew up as they tapped it for fuel could have concealed themselves for fear of prosecution.
The Resource and Development Officer of the Red Cross, Mr Oladimeji said: �Sixty casualties were evacuated from the scene. By our figure, 269 persons have so far died. Seven of them gave up the ghost Tuesday evening at the General Hospital, Otta. I do not think the number of those dead are up to 700. Most of them are receiving treatment in various hospitals. We are still going round the hospitals at the end of which we will come out with the number of casualties.�
There was, however, a stampede in the area yesterday when some men who apparently were effecting repairs on the pipeline, dug the ground and some liquid substance suspected to be petrol started gushing out. Residents who had gone to witness the damage, took to their heels when they sighted the petrol gushing out. This caused a stampede as people took to their heels for fear of another explosion.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero, on a visit to the scene yesterday announced the setting up of a special squad charged with the responsibility of curbing pipeline vandalisation across the country. As a first step, he directed that all those selling fuel in jerricans by roadside be arrested forthwith.
The IG who was at the scene of the pipeline explosion with some top police officers to access the level of damage, said the special squad would be made up of policemen and other security agents in the country.
He blamed the explosion on the negligence of the residents, saying the police were never informed about the activities of the vandals in the area as claimed by some residents.
Said he: �I have been briefed about the incident which was caused by the unpatriotic culture of Nigerians. Activities of vandals have been happening here for more than three months and nobody reported the case to the police for quick action. It is the civilians’ responsibility to report cases of vandals that could cause havoc to the Police but most of them shy away from their civil responsibilities. Right now, we are going to approach this with tougher measures. Anyone caught will be decisively dealt with.�
Vatican sends condolences
The Vatican on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI in a condolence message on the oil pipeline explosion said: �Deeply saddened by reports of the tragic consequences of the pipeline explosion in Lagos, his holiness Pope Benedict XVI sends the assurance of his profound solidarity and pastoral concern.
�With fervent prayers that almighty God will grant eternal peace to those who have died and consolation and strength to the homeless and injured, he invokes the divine gifts of wisdom, strength and peace upon the civil authorities and those engaged in the work of relief and rebuilding.�
UN wants review of fuel supply mechanism
In another condolence massage, the United Nations called on Nigeria to review its fuel supply mechanism in order to curb the frequent occurrence of pipeline vandalisation in the country. The organisation�s outgoing Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, stressed the need for Nigeria to map out strategies that would safeguard its fuel supply management and risks that could lead to environmental disasters in the country.
He expressed sadness at the disaster and pledged the world body�s assistance and support to prevent future occurrence. Annan extended his condolences to all those affected while noting that the theft of fuel from Nigerian pipelines had become a frequent occurrence �often with tragic consequences. The United Nations stands ready to assist in this endeavour and to help in assessing current gaps in risk mapping and disaster response in the country,� the outgoing UN scribe said.