2008 Ijegun pipeline explosion

On May 16, 2008 a pipeline explosion occurred in the community of Ijegun, a suburb north of Lagos, Nigeria. The explosion took place after a bulldozer struck an oil pipeline.cite web
url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article3949781.ece
title=100 killed in fire after roadworkers fracture fuel pipeline in Ijegun
publisher=
date=
accessdate=2008-05-16] cite web
url=http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=46897&cat=0
title=Pipeline Blast in Nigeria Kills at least 100
publisher=
date=
accessdate=2008-05-16] The Lagos police have stated that the explosion appears to be an accident, and not the work of thieves, as in past pipeline explosions near Lagos.cite web
url=http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Red_Cross_says_100_dead_after_roadworks_trigger_pipeline_explosion_in_Nigeria
title=Red Cross says 100 dead after roadworks trigger pipeline explosion in Nigeria
publisher=
date=
accessdate=2008-05-16] Construction workers accidentally broke an underground pipeline from which fuel started to spill out. Nearby residents attempted to steal the fuel from the broken pipeline; moments later an explosion occurred.cite web
url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004418253_nigeria16.html
title=Nigerian pipeline fire kills as many as 100
publisher=
date=
accessdate=2008-05-16]

The fire started from the Isolo end of Ijegun, which spread to surrounding homes and schools. It reportedly spread through buildings with occupants inside. The Ijegun Primary School was also damaged. More than 15 homes and more than 20 vehicles were burned in the fire. Firefighters and volunteers used sand and water in attempts to extinguish the fires.cite web
url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23707514-401,00.html
title=Oil pipeline explosion kills at least 100
publisher=
date=
accessdate=2008-05-16] Forty minutes after the fire started, NNPC firefighters arrived on the scene. The Lagos State Fire Service later arrived.cite web
url=http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?id=46897&cat=0
title=Pipeline Blast in Nigeria Kills at least 100
publisher=
date=
accessdate=2008-05-16]

Deaths

Although the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency puts the current death toll at ten, the Nigerian Red Cross claims at least 100 people have died. Other accounts state that the number dead is 39, including school children.cite web
url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200805160001.html
title=Nigeria: 39 Die in Lagos Pipeline Fire
publisher=
date=
accessdate=2008-05-16] AllAfrica.com reports that the death toll is up to 43.cite web
url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200805170197.html
title=Nigeria: Pipeline Explosion - Death Toll Rises to 43
publisher=allAfrica.com
date=
accessdate=2008-05-19] The bodies were taken to the Ikeja General Hospital. A pregnant woman and her 4-year-old son were also among the dead. The Nigerian Red Cross compiled names of the deceased and injured. They set up camps near the disaster as well. Local council and government officials claim that the actual death toll is much lower than what the Nigerian Red Cross is claiming.cite web
url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ipVHy9Z2VYl-B1l9aevVhKisnX2g
title=Crowds gather at charred site of Nigerian pipeline blast
publisher=
date=
accessdate=2008-05-16] Victims were taken to a hospital and are said to be suffering from serious burns.cite web
url=http://www.euronews.net/index.php?page=info&article=487331&lng=1
title=Fuel explosion in Nigeria after pipeline accident
publisher=
date=
accessdate=2008-05-16]

It's believed that when the explosion occurred, gate men at the Ijegun Primary School initially locked the gates apparently to prevent the pupils from running into danger. But when the atmosphere became tense, the gate men and other staff were said to have run for their lives leaving everyone to their fate.

At that point, students from Ijegun Comprehensive School who ran into the primary school premises were said to have jointly brought down the wall of the school to facilitate their escape. Most of them were trampled on. Eight out of sixteen pupils who were rushed to Corner Stone Hospital reportedly died on May 15 and another died a day later. Three residents were killed after being run over by vehicles whose drivers attempted to flee the fire zone.

ee also

* 2006 Abule Egba pipeline explosion
* 2006 Atlas Creek pipeline explosion
* List of pipeline accidents

References

External links

*http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004418253_nigeria16.html
*http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article3949781.ece