This article may be excessively based on contemporary reporting. (March 2024) |
On 13 February 2010 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, eleven people were killed when a power cable fell on them.
| Port Harcourt bus electrocution | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Date | 13 February 2010 |
| Location | Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria |
| Statistics | |
| Deaths | 11 |
| Injured | 11 |
Accident
editAt approximately 08:00 local time (UTC+1) on 13 February 2010,[1] a road traffic incident in occurred in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, in which eleven people were killed. A 33 kilovolt electric cable snapped,[2] striking two Nissan Urvan buses,[1] and electrocuting many of the occupants.[3][4] The incident occurred after a severe thunderstorm; the cable was believed to have been brought down by heavy rainfall.[2]
Casualties
editThe majority of the casualties were bus passengers, though several passers-by were also struck.[5] The death toll is eleven; a further eleven having been hospitalised. Ten of the victims died in the incident or its immediate aftermath; the eleventh died in hospital on 14 February.[6]
Aftermath
editThere were conflicting reports on the death toll in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Eyewitnesses reported seeing as many as 40 bodies,[7] and several sources initially put the death toll at 20.[8][9] The Rivers State government released a statement in which it said that no more than 10 people had been killed, while a police spokesperson announced that 12 others had suffered "severe burns".[4]
The state government has ordered a report from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria about why the cable was still live when it broke.[1] The state governor released a statement which stated: "We sympathise with the families of those involved in the tragedy. We pray God to grant the souls of the departed rest and to consolation [sic] to their families. While we are not apportioning blame, we want to say that the tragedy could have been averted if the PHCN had maintained the affected facility."[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Isine, Ibanga (14 February 2010). "Collapse of PHCN cable: 30 persons feared dead in PH". punchng.com. The Punch. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ a b Chukwurah, Henry (14 February 2010). "Black Saturday". Sunday Sun. The Sun Publishing Ltd. Archived from the original on 1 March 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ "20 dead in Nigeria bus tragedy". Scotland On Sunday. Johnston Press. 14 February 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ a b "Ten people killed as power cable falls on Nigeria bus". BBC News. BBC. 13 February 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ "20 Bus Passengers Electrocuted in Nigeria". The New York Times. February 13, 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ "Another victim of high tension wire dies". Daily Triumph. Triumph Publishing. 15 February 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
- ^ Ogbu, Ahamefula (14 February 2010). "Tragedy as Powerline Cut, Kill 40 in Port Harcourt". This Day. Leaders & Company Limited. Archived from the original on 17 February 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ "20 killed as power cable hits bus". The Press Association. 14 February 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "20 people killed by electrocution in Nigeria". The Associated Press. 13 February 2010. Archived from the original on February 16, 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
