By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said that all passengers who sustained injuries in the June 8 train accident along the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor have been treated and discharged from hospital, while all equipment involved in the incident has been fully recovered.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos.
Opeifa, however, noted that one NRC staff member who suffered serious injuries in the accident remains under specialist medical care.
The accident occurred at about 4:17 p.m. near the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station in Agbor, Delta State, when four coaches of the train derailed and capsized.
The train had departed Itakpe Station at noon on its scheduled journey to Ujevwu in Warri, carrying 442 passengers and 40 operational personnel, including train crew members, security officers, medical personnel, cleaners, caterers and other support staff.
Five persons lost their lives in the accident, while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to hospitals in Agbor and neighbouring communities for treatment.
According to Opeifa, all passengers and personnel aboard the train have now been fully accounted for.
He expressed the corporation’s condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and pledged continued support during their period of grief.
“The corporation deeply sympathises with the families of the deceased and will continue to stand with them during this difficult time,” he said.
The NRC chief also commended the management and medical personnel of General Hospital Owa Oyibu, Owa Alero Hospital and Central Hospital, Agbor, for their prompt response and professionalism in handling the emergency.
He said the hospitals played a vital role in the successful treatment and recovery of injured passengers.
As part of ongoing post-incident measures, Opeifa disclosed that the corporation had established a medical and victim support committee to coordinate engagement with injured passengers and the families of deceased victims.
According to him, the committee has already visited five injured passengers and the family of one deceased passenger in Agbor, Asaba and Ugbolu in Delta State.
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He added that the committee would also travel to Warri to meet with the families of two other deceased passengers and additional injured victims.
Opeifa encouraged passengers, relatives and members of the public seeking information regarding passengers, lost property, medical follow-up or other issues related to the accident to contact the NRC Incident Desk through its dedicated emergency lines.
He further announced that with rescue operations and equipment recovery completed, NRC engineers had commenced rail track restoration works along the affected section of the route.
The NRC boss reiterated the corporation’s commitment to cooperating with relevant authorities investigating the incident and implementing recommendations aimed at improving railway safety across the country.
“NRC remains fully committed to strengthening measures that will ensure the safety, reliability and sustainability of railway operations,” he said.
