By Zainab Bakare
The Federal Government has confirmed the death of four persons and serious injuries to 24 others following the derailment of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service near Agbor in Delta State on Monday.
The confirmation is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Funsho Adebiyi.
According to the statement, preliminary findings revealed that four coaches capsized while one coach derailed during the accident.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) regrets to confirm that a serious train accident occurred along the Warri–Itakpe Train Service corridor near Agbor, Delta State,” the statement said.
Authorities confirmed that the four fatalities comprised two adult women, one adult man, and an infant. The ministry disclosed that 442 passengers had booked the train, while 40 crew members, security personnel, and service providers were also on board, bringing the total number of occupants to 482.
Rescue and evacuation operations were immediately activated with support from the Delta State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Police, Civil Defence, and other emergency responders.
Officials said the evacuation exercise was completed by 6:30 p.m., with injured passengers taken to medical facilities in Agbor for treatment.
The statement notes that Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Patrick Ukah, were among those on board.
As of the time of the update, 24 passengers had sustained serious injuries, while several others suffered varying degrees of injuries and were receiving medical attention.
The ministry also confirmed that one NRC staff member suffered a traumatic limb injury but is in stable condition.
The Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured speedy recovery.
Authorities said the train’s passenger manifest had been retrieved to support identification and documentation efforts.
A full investigation into the cause of the accident has commenced, while efforts continue to account for all passengers and provide support to those affected.
The incident occurred on Monday when coaches of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service derailed near Agbor, prompting an emergency response from government agencies and rescue teams.
Following the accident, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and directed state officials to coordinate rescue and relief efforts for survivors.
