Tragedy in Nigeria: 37 dead from toxic gas while trying to steal oil, several people still missing

At least 37 people have died in southern Nigeria after being poisoned by toxic gas while attempting to siphon petroleum products from a pipeline.

The incident was recorded in Okrika, near Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State. Other people are still considered missing, while several bodies have been seen in the river but have not yet been recovered.

According to the non-governmental organization, a group of young people had connected a hose to the pipeline carrying petroleum products from the Indorama Eleme Petrochemical plant to vessels arriving in the area to load fuel and transport it for export.

The poisoning occurred as the people were attempting to extract oil from the pipeline and came into contact with the toxic gas.

Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the causes of the incident, while search-and-rescue operations continue to locate the missing people.