At least, no fewer than seven persons were feared dead following an explosion that rocked the Port Harcourt Refinery Jetty at Okrika, in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State yesterday.
Those killed are alleged to have attempted to vandalise one of the pipelines of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, at a jetty near Okrika, leading to an explosion.
Although the casualty figure was put at seven by sources, it was learnt that scores of people were said to have suffered severe burns.
A staff of the refinery, who did not want his name mentioned, said at least seven persons were burnt as a result of the explosion, adding that most of them were vandals siphoning oil after bursting a pipeline.
The source added that those who suffered severe burns were taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, confirmed the explosion to journalists. He said that the fire was as a result of the activities of oil pipeline vandals.