Gasoline pipeline explosion in Nigeria kills hundreds
{{date|December 26, 2006}}

[[Image:Lagos Island.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Lagos, Nigeria]]
Reports say that hundreds of people are dead after a gasoline pipeline exploded in the northern suburbs of [[w:Lagos, Nigeria|Lagos, Nigeria]] on Tuesday. 

"Some of the bodies were so burnt that it would be difficult to recognize them as those of human beings," said one Red Cross official, Kingsley Amori.

The [[w:Red Cross|Red Cross]] says that many of the victims can only be identified by looking at the remains of their skulls. Estimates suggest that 200-900 people were killed, and another 60 people received medical treatment.

[[Image:Lagos 1 galleryfull.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Golden Plaza, in Lagos]]"The bodies are scattered over the ground. We can't get close enough because the fire is still burning. We cannot confirm how many hundreds were killed." said secretary-general of the Nigerian Red Cross, Ige Oladimeji.

The explosion is believed to have been caused by vandalization in the pipeline. Reports say that thieves used a drill to punch a hole in the pipeline in order to steal gasoline, which is sold on the [[w:black market|black market]].

Fuel was being pumped into the pipes to be distributed for consumer use when it exploded. The pipeline is operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, which is owned by the State of Nigeria. Workers have stopped pumping fuel through the pipelines.

==Sources==
[[Image:Lagoslocation_english.png|right|200px|thumb|Map of Nigeria showing Lagos.]]
*{{source|url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/africa/news/article_1237559.php/Nigeria_Red_Cross_opens_missing_persons_register_after_deadly_blast
|title=Nigeria Red Cross opens missing persons register after deadly blast
|author=
|pub=Deutsche Presse-Agentur
|date=December 28, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.playfuls.com/news_10_6454-ROUNDUP-Hundreds-Feared-Dead-In-Nigerian-Pipeline-Blast.html
|title=ROUNDUP: Hundreds Feared Dead In Nigerian Pipeline Blast
|author=
|pub=Playfuls.com
|date=December 26, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7BAA9CE9A2-6727-4793-A0F6-52407EAB8CBD%7D)&language=EN
|title=Nigeria Pipe Blast Kills over 500
|author=
|pub=Prensa Latina
|date=December 26, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6303876,00.html
|title=Toll in Nigerian Pipeline Blast at 260
|author=Katharine Houreld
|pub=Guardian Unlimited
|date=December 26, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-12-26T170037Z_01_L26344713_RTRUKOC_0_UK-NIGERIA-FIRE.xml
|title=Hundreds killed in Lagos fuel blast
|author=Akintunde Akinleye
|pub=Reuters
|date=December 26, 2006}}

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[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:Nigeria]]
[[Category:Red Cross and Red Crescent]]

{{archive}}

[[de:Viele Tote bei Explosion einer Treibstoff-Pipeline in Nigeria]]
[[ja:ナイジェリアで石油パイプライン爆発、死者300人近くに]]
[[pl:Eksplozja ropociągu - 260 zabitych]]
Lagos, Nigeria
Reports say that hundreds of people are dead after a gasoline pipeline exploded in the northern suburbs of Lagos, Nigeria on Tuesday. 

"Some of the bodies were so burnt that it would be difficult to recognize them as those of human beings," said one Red Cross official, Kingsley Amori.

The Red Cross says that many of the victims can only be identified by looking at the remains of their skulls. Estimates suggest that 200-900 people were killed, and another 60 people received medical treatment.

The Golden Plaza, in Lagos"The bodies are scattered over the ground. We can't get close enough because the fire is still burning. We cannot confirm how many hundreds were killed." said secretary-general of the Nigerian Red Cross, Ige Oladimeji.

The explosion is believed to have been caused by vandalization in the pipeline. Reports say that thieves used a drill to punch a hole in the pipeline in order to steal gasoline, which is sold on the black market.

Fuel was being pumped into the pipes to be distributed for consumer use when it exploded. The pipeline is operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, which is owned by the State of Nigeria. Workers have stopped pumping fuel through the pipelines.
Disasters and accidents Crime and law Africa Nigeria Red Cross and Red Crescent