The Federal Ministry of Transportation has confirmed that four people died following a train derailment in Agbor, Delta State, involving a service operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Funsho Adebiyi, revealed that a total of 482 people were on board the train when the accident occurred.
According to preliminary findings, four coaches overturned while another coach left the tracks, leading to multiple casualties. The victims were identified as two adult women, one adult man, and an infant.
The ministry disclosed that 442 passengers had purchased tickets for the journey, while the remaining 40 individuals on board comprised crew members, security personnel, and third-party service providers.
Authorities said emergency rescue and evacuation operations were successfully completed by 6:30 p.m. Injured passengers were taken to medical facilities in Agbor for treatment.
The statement further indicated that 24 passengers sustained serious injuries during the incident, while several others suffered minor wounds. One staff member of the NRC reportedly sustained a traumatic injury to a limb and is currently receiving medical care. Officials said the worker remains in stable condition.
Among those travelling on the train were Ede Dafinone and Patrick Ukah, both of whom were identified as passengers on the affected service.
The Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Officials also announced the commencement of a full investigation to determine the cause of the derailment. The ministry stated that efforts are continuing to account for all passengers and provide necessary support to those affected by the tragedy.
In addition, authorities confirmed that the train’s complete passenger manifest has been recovered and will be made available to relevant agencies when required. Work is also ongoing to properly identify all injured passengers and the deceased for official documentation.
The incident has renewed concerns about rail safety in Nigeria as investigators seek to establish the circumstances that led to the derailment in Agbor.
