NRC Recovers All Assets After Warri–Itakpe Train Incident, Confirms No Passenger Unaccounted For
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the full recovery of all equipment involved in the June 8 derailment of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service, and says every passenger and crew member has been accounted for.
In a detailed update issued on Monday, the corporation said the train departed Itakpe Station at noon bound for Ujevwu, Warri, and was involved in the accident at approximately 4:17 p.m. near Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station in Agbor, Delta State. On board were 442 passengers and 40 operational personnel, including train crew, security officers, medical staff, cleaners, caterers and other support workers.
“Following the incident, the Corporation immediately activated its Emergency Response Plan and mobilised operational, engineering, medical, and security personnel to the scene,” the NRC stated. It worked alongside the Delta and Kogi state governments, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, the NSCDC, medical responders and local communities to evacuate all passengers to nearby hospitals.
The corporation said the incident claimed five lives, while several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries. “The Corporation once again extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and continues to stand with them during this difficult period,” the statement read.
Providing an update on the injured, the NRC said all passengers admitted to hospitals in Agbor and surrounding communities have been treated and discharged, except one staff member who remains under specialist medical care. It commended the management and medical personnel of General Hospital Owa Oyibu, Owa Alero Hospital and Central Hospital Agbor for their prompt and compassionate response.
To support those affected, the NRC has constituted a Medical and Victim Support Committee, chaired by Dr. Osarunwense Igbinogu. The committee has already visited five injured passengers and the family of one deceased passenger in Agbor, Asaba and Ugbolu, Delta State, and will proceed to Warri to condole with the families of two other deceased passengers and additional injured victims.
The corporation urged passengers, relatives and members of the public seeking information about those involved to contact its Incident Desk through dedicated telephone lines for enquiries about passengers, lost-and-found items and medical follow-up. It also invited feedback and recommendations that could aid ongoing investigations and improve service delivery.
On the restoration front, the NRC said its Civil Engineering and New Lines Engineers have commenced track restoration works following the completion of rescue operations and equipment recovery. “This marks a significant milestone in the recovery phase following the successful recovery of all four capsized coaches and the two derailed coaches from the incident site,” it noted.
The corporation reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with investigating authorities and implementing any safety recommendations that emerge. “NRC remains fully committed to cooperating with all relevant authorities, implementing safety recommendations arising from the investigations, and strengthening measures aimed at ensuring the safety, reliability, and sustainability of railway operations across the country,” the statement added.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has already launched an investigation into the cause of the derailment, retrieving critical evidence from the scene and completing key on-site activities to determine the circumstances and propose measures to prevent a recurrence.