A catastrophic incident in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 43 individuals, with many others unaccounted for. The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of September 3, 2026, at Okari Jetty, where a vessel was preparing to load petroleum products for export.

According to local sources, over 200 people, primarily youths from nearby communities, gathered at the jetty to illegally siphon fuel from a pipeline. Eyewitness accounts indicate that as the vessel began its loading operation, toxic fumes from the petroleum product filled the area, leading to several individuals collapsing. Some of the victims fell into the river, while others who managed to escape suffered severe respiratory issues and were rushed to nearby hospitals.

Community reports suggest that 37 of the deceased have been identified as residents of Okrika, while six others remain unidentified. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) corroborated these accounts, stating that their network had confirmed at least 37 fatalities due to inhalation of what has been referred to as "Indorama fuel."

Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, explained that the victims had connected a pipe to a tapping point on a pipeline that transports petroleum products from Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals to vessels for export. He noted that the product was under high pressure during the siphoning attempt, exacerbating the danger of inhaling the fumes.

Reports indicate that some bodies have been spotted floating in the river, but recovery efforts have not yet succeeded in retrieving them. Additionally, numerous individuals are still missing following the incident. Fyneface has called for the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to conduct a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to ascertain the details surrounding the tragedy.

In light of the incident, Fyneface condemned the illegal siphoning and vandalism of oil infrastructure, urging young people to avoid approaching such dangerous sites. He also highlighted the need for the government to provide alternative livelihoods for those involved in artisanal refining and other vulnerable groups in the Niger Delta.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has stated that it cannot confirm the exact number of casualties at this time. Police Public Relations Officer ASP Blessing Agabe Kaborio acknowledged that several individuals had died while attempting to scoop crude oil but emphasized that investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the tragedy and the circumstances that led to it.