NRC confirms four dead, dozens injured in Delta train derailment
Nigerian Railway Corporation NRC
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed a serious train accident on the Warri‑Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor near Agbor that left four people dead and dozens injured.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Funsho Adebiyi, the NRC said, “Preliminary reports indicate that four coaches capsized while one coach derailed, resulting in the unfortunate loss of four lives, comprising two adult females, one adult male, and one infant passenger.”
The corporation said 442 passengers were booked on the train and 40 crew members, security personnel and third‑party service providers were also on board, bringing the total number of persons on the train to 482.
Rescue teams, “with the support of the Delta State Government, NEMA, FRSC, the Police, Civil Defence, local authorities, security agencies, and other emergency responders,” completed evacuation operations by 6:30 p.m., the statement said.
The NRC confirmed that injured passengers were taken to medical facilities in Agbor for treatment.
As of the release, “24 serious injuries have been recorded, while several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention.”
One NRC staff member sustained a traumatic limb injury and is in stable condition.
Notable passengers on board included Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government Patrick Ukah, the statement added.
The Ministry and NRC extended “their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the quick recovery of all those injured,” and thanked emergency responders, the NRC Mechanical Directorate, the Special Rescue and Emergency Team, medical personnel, and members of the public who assisted in rescue efforts.
The NRC said the full onboard manifest “has been retrieved and will be made available upon request by the relevant authorities,” and that efforts are ongoing “to identify all the injured and deceased persons for proper documentation.”
A full investigation into the cause of the accident has commenced, and authorities pledged to continue efforts “to account for all passengers and provide the necessary support to those affected.”
