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Missile Attack Causes Fire in Erbil Oil Refinery:
May 2, 2022
April 24, 2022
Nigeria's president has said the country is in "shock and trauma" following the deaths of at least 100 people from an explosion at an illegal oil refinery.
President Muhammadu Buhari described the incident in Imo state, southern Nigeria, as a "catastrophe and a national disaster". Many victims were burnt beyond recognition.
The police are now looking for the owner of the illegal refinery.
The damage to fishing and farming caused by the oil industry over the decades and the failure to share the oil wealth has led some to find other ways to make money.
Illegal refining is attractive as in parts of the oil-rich Niger Delta it is seen as being relatively easy to pull off, despite efforts to halt the practice. Dozens of people were thought to have been working at the refining plants when they were caught in the huge fire.
Increasing Death toll
The death toll has risen as emergency workers go through the scene. Ifeanyi Nnaji of the National Emergency Management Agency said that the number killed now stood at 109.
Charred human remains, as well as fragments of belongings, such as flip flops, bags and clothing, were witnessed across the scene of the disaster by a journalist for the Reuters news agency.
In a statement on Sunday, Mr Buhari offered his condolences to the families of the victims and said those responsible for the explosions must be caught and brought to justice.
Proliferation of illegal plants causes repeated disaster
The authorities have been struggling to curb the proliferation of illegal plants where stolen crude oil is refined. The president ordered security forces to intensify efforts to shut these refineries.
There have been concerns over a lack of precautions at such facilities as well as over the environmental pollution they cause.