All passengers who sustained injuries in the June 8 train accident along the Warri–Itakpe railway route have been treated and discharged, while all equipment involved in the incident has been fully recovered.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos.
Opeifa, however, said one NRC staff member who sustained serious injuries during the accident remains under specialist medical care.
The accident occurred at about 4:17pm near the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station in Agbor, Delta State, when four coaches of the train reportedly capsized.
The train had departed Itakpe Station at noon on its scheduled journey to Ujevwu, Warri, Delta State, carrying 442 passengers and 40 operational personnel, including train crew members, security personnel, medical staff, cleaners, caterers and other support workers.
Five people died in the incident, while injured passengers were taken to hospitals in Agbor and neighbouring communities for treatment.
Opeifa said all passengers and personnel on board the train had been accounted for, adding that the corporation sympathised with families of those who lost their lives and would continue to support them during the difficult period.
He commended the management and medical personnel of General Hospital Owa Oyibu, Owa Alero Hospital and Central Hospital, Agbor, for their prompt response, professionalism and commitment in attending to the injured passengers.
“Their invaluable support contributed significantly to the successful management of the emergency and recovery of the affected persons,” he said.
The NRC chief executive added that the corporation had established a medical and victim support committee to coordinate engagement with injured passengers, families of deceased victims and other affected persons as part of its post-incident response.
According to him, the committee had visited five injured passengers and the family of one deceased passenger in Agbor, Asaba and Ugbolu in Delta State, with plans to visit more affected families in Warri.
He encouraged passengers, relatives and members of the public seeking information about those aboard the train, missing items, medical follow-up or other enquiries relating to the incident to contact the NRC Incident Desk.
Opeifa provided dedicated contact lines for enquiries: 09160008964, 09010000101, 08052217353, 08147012653 and 07033684912.
He said restoration work on the affected rail track had commenced following the completion of passenger rescue operations and recovery of equipment.
“Meanwhile, with passenger rescue operations and equipment recovery successfully completed, the NRC’s Civil Engineering and New Lines Engineers have commenced rail track restoration works,” he said.
Opeifa added that the corporation remained committed to working with relevant authorities, implementing safety recommendations from investigations and strengthening measures to improve the safety, reliability and sustainability of railway operations across the country.
