<p>At least 37 people lost their lives in Nigeria on Monday (Oct 2) in a blast at an illegal oil refinery in the country’s south, reported Reuters. A local community leader told the news agency that amongst the dead were two pregnant women.</p>

<p>"Thirty five people were caught in the fire. Two people who were lucky to escape also died this morning in hospital," Reuters quoted a witness as saying.</p>

<p>He added that the relatives had identified some of the victims and taken them for burial. &nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Oil refinery fire ignites nearby reservoir</strong></h2>

<p>Another report on the same incident by AFP pegged the death toll at 18. AFP reported that the fire took place after the illegal oil refinery fire ignited a nearby oil reservoir, leaving victims severely burnt.</p>

<p>“The fire outbreak started at a very late hour … 18 victims were burnt beyond recognition while 25 injured persons were rescued,” said Olufemi Ayodele, spokesman for the local Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Nigeria: Africa's biggest economy under threat</strong></p>

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<p>“Most of the victims were youths … a pregnant woman and a young lady getting ready for her marriage ceremony next month were all casualties,” he said.</p>

<h2><strong>Nigeria’s illegal oil refining problem</strong></h2>

<p>In the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, illegal refining is a widespread issue, where impoverished locals tap into pipelines to produce fuel for profit. This dangerous practice can be as rudimentary as boiling crude oil in drums to extract fuel, often resulting in deadly consequences.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-protests-held-over-mysterious-death-of-afrobeat-star-mohbad-638516"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Nigeria: Protests held over mysterious death of Afrobeat star MohBad</strong></a></p>

<p>Despite Nigeria being an OPEC member and one of Africa's major petroleum producers, efforts to combat illegal crude refineries have yielded little success over the years. This is partly due to the involvement of influential politicians and security officials, as noted by local environmental groups.</p>

<p>Theft of crude oil, vandalism of pipelines, and legal disputes regarding oil spills have prompted oil majors operating in Nigeria to divest from onshore and shallow water assets, opting to focus on deepwater operations.</p>

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At least 37 people lost their lives in Nigeria on Monday (Oct 2) in a blast at an illegal oil refinery in the country’s south, reported Reuters. A local community leader told the news agency that amongst the dead were two pregnant women.

At least 37 people lost their lives in Nigeria on Monday (Oct 2) in a blast at an illegal oil refinery in the country’s south, reported Reuters. A local community leader told the news agency that amongst the dead were two pregnant women. "Thirty five people were caught in the fire. Two people who were lucky to escape also died this morning in hospital," Reuters quoted a witness as saying. He added that the relatives had identified some of the victims and taken them for burial. Oil refinery fire ignites nearby reservoir Another report on the same incident by AFP pegged the death toll at 18. AFP reported that the fire took place after the illegal oil refinery fire ignited a nearby oil reservoir, leaving victims severely burnt. “The fire outbreak started at a very late hour … 18 victims were burnt beyond recognition while 25 injured persons were rescued,” said Olufemi Ayodele, spokesman for the local Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Watch: Nigeria: Africa's biggest economy under threat × “Most of the victims were youths … a pregnant woman and a young lady getting ready for her marriage ceremony next month were all casualties,” he said. Nigeria’s illegal oil refining problem In the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, illegal refining is a widespread issue, where impoverished locals tap into pipelines to produce fuel for profit. This dangerous practice can be as rudimentary as boiling crude oil in drums to extract fuel, often resulting in deadly consequences. Also read: Nigeria: Protests held over mysterious death of Afrobeat star MohBad Despite Nigeria being an OPEC member and one of Africa's major petroleum producers, efforts to combat illegal crude refineries have yielded little success over the years. This is partly due to the involvement of influential politicians and security officials, as noted by local environmental groups. Theft of crude oil, vandalism of pipelines, and legal disputes regarding oil spills have prompted oil majors operating in Nigeria to divest from onshore and shallow water assets, opting to focus on deepwater operations. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Nigeria: Blast at illegal oil refinery kills at least 37, including two pregnant women

<p>An NGO reported Saturday that several people were likely burned to death overnight after an explosion at an illegal oil refinery in southern Nigeria.</p>

<p>AFP reports that while the explosion was confirmed by police late Friday,&nbsp;no details on the victims were provided.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-claims-nigeria-bombing-says-about-30-killed-or-hurt-472676">Islamic State claims Nigeria bombing, says about 30 killed or hurt</a></strong></p>

<p>Local media accounts state that over 100 people were killed in the latest incident in Nigeria, Africa's largest crude producer.</p>

<p>According to police, an explosion occurred late Friday at the site of an illegal refinery where operators and their patrons had gathered for business.</p>

<p>"Several bodies burnt beyond recognition lay on the ground while others who may have attempted running for safety are seen hanging on some tree branches," said Fyneface Dumnamene, Executive Director of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC).</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;African students allege hostilities: Nigerian medical students return home</strong></p>

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<p>Rivers state police spokeswoman Grace Iringe-Koko told AFP that "the incident happened on the boundary between Rivers and Imo state." No&nbsp;additional information was provided.</p>

<p>Despite being the continent's largest oil producer, with roughly two million barrels per day, the majority of people in the oil-producing Niger delta live in poverty. Because of the unemployment and poverty in the oil-producing Niger Delta, illegal crude refining has become a lucrative enterprise, but it has terrible repercussions.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigerian-police-raid-bomb-factory-in-restive-southeast-473209">Nigerian police raid bomb factory in restive southeast</a></strong></p>

<p>Pipeline fires are prevalent in Nigeria, influenced by&nbsp;a combination of poor pipeline maintenance and thieves who vandalise pipelines to steal petrol and sell it on the black market.</p>

<p>Hundreds of people have been killed in the past as a result of petroleum product theft and illicit refining, known as bunkering in the area.&nbsp;As part of attempts to curb the theft of the country's oil riches, the government has dispatched the military to attack and demolish illegal refineries in the Niger delta.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


An NGO reported Saturday that several people were likely burned to death overnight after an explosion at an illegal oil refinery in southern Nigeria. AFP reports that while the explosion was confirmed by police late Friday, no details on the victims were provided.

An NGO reported Saturday that several people were likely burned to death overnight after an explosion at an illegal oil refinery in southern Nigeria. AFP reports that while the explosion was confirmed by police late Friday, no details on the victims were provided. Also read | Islamic State claims Nigeria bombing, says about 30 killed or hurt Local media accounts state that over 100 people were killed in the latest incident in Nigeria, Africa's largest crude producer. According to police, an explosion occurred late Friday at the site of an illegal refinery where operators and their patrons had gathered for business. "Several bodies burnt beyond recognition lay on the ground while others who may have attempted running for safety are seen hanging on some tree branches," said Fyneface Dumnamene, Executive Director of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC). Watch | African students allege hostilities: Nigerian medical students return home Rivers state police spokeswoman Grace Iringe-Koko told AFP that "the incident happened on the boundary between Rivers and Imo state." No additional information was provided. Despite being the continent's largest oil producer, with roughly two million barrels per day, the majority of people in the oil-producing Niger delta live in poverty. Because of the unemployment and poverty in the oil-producing Niger Delta, illegal crude refining has become a lucrative enterprise, but it has terrible repercussions. Also read | Nigerian police raid bomb factory in restive southeast Pipeline fires are prevalent in Nigeria, influenced by a combination of poor pipeline maintenance and thieves who vandalise pipelines to steal petrol and sell it on the black market. Hundreds of people have been killed in the past as a result of petroleum product theft and illicit refining, known as bunkering in the area. As part of attempts to curb the theft of the country's oil riches, the government has dispatched the military to attack and demolish illegal refineries in the Niger delta. (With inputs from agencies)

Over 100 people killed in an explosion at a Nigerian illegal oil refinery

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Nigeria: Blast at illegal oil refinery kills at least 37, including two pregnant women

Over 100 people killed in an explosion at a Nigerian illegal oil refinery