The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says its investigation into the train derailment that occurred along the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor on Monday has progressed with the retrieval of critical evidence and the completion of key on-site investigative activities.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on Tuesday confirmed four people dead and 24 others sustained serious injuries after a train along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor derailed near Agbor, Delta State, on Monday.
The NRC said preliminary reports indicate that four coaches capsized while one coach derailed, resulting in the unfortunate loss of four lives, comprising two adult females, one adult male, and one infant passenger.
The corporation added that a total of 442 passengers were booked on the train, while 40 crew members, security personnel, and third-party service providers were also on board, bringing the total number of persons on the train to 482.
“As of the time of this release, 24 serious injuries have been recorded, while several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention.
“One NRC staff member suffered a traumatic limb injury and is currently receiving treatment and is reported to be in stable condition,” the corporation said.
Following the notification of the accident, the NSIB said its Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr, led the Bureau’s investigation team to the accident scene to initiate an inquiry.
He was accompanied by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Funsho Adebiyi, as part of a coordinated response involving relevant transportation stakeholders and authorities.
At the scene, NSIB said investigators documented the accident site, examined the affected rail equipment and infrastructure, gathered operational and technical information, and interviewed relevant personnel connected to the operation of the train.
As part of the visit, it said, Mr Badeh Jr, demonstrated the Bureau’s commitment to the human dimension of transportation safety by personally meeting with passengers affected by the derailment.
The NSIB said he also visited injured victims receiving treatment at various primary healthcare centres and hospitals, where he offered words of comfort, support, and reassurance.
“NSIB acknowledges and appreciates the cooperation of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Federal Ministry of Transportation, and the Nigerian Air Force, whose support facilitated the efficient mobilisation of resources and access to operational facilities and information required by the investigative team,” the investigation bureau said in a post on its official X handle on Thursday.
