Over 100 people killed in explosion at Nigerian illegal oil refinery

More than 100 people have been killed following an explosion at an illegal oil refinery in Nigeria’s southern state of Imo, official and local sources said.

The explosion occurred late Friday at the illegal oil refinery in Egbema local government area, a boundary area between the southern states of Imo and Rivers, an official added on Saturday, confirming more than 100 killed so far, Xinhua news agency reported.

“There was a fire outbreak at an illegal bunkering site affecting over 100 people burned beyond recognition,” Goodluck Opiah, the Commissioner for Petroleum resources in Imo, told Xinhua.

Opiah said unidentified burned bodies littered the area, disclosing that the government had already declared wanted the operator of the illegal oil refinery, who is said to be currently absconding.