The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the death of four passengers following a serious accident involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) near Agbor in Delta State, with at least 24 others sustaining serious injuries.
In a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, the corporation said the incident occurred along the Warri–Itakpe rail corridor when four coaches capsized and one coach derailed, triggering a major emergency response operation.
According to preliminary reports released by the NRC, the deceased comprised two adult women, one adult man and an infant. The train was carrying 442 passengers at the time of the accident, while an additional 40 crew members, security personnel and third-party service providers were on board, bringing the total number of occupants to 482.
The corporation disclosed that rescue and evacuation efforts were immediately activated following the accident, with support from the Delta State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local authorities and other emergency responders.
Rescue operations were completed by approximately 6:30 p.m., with injured passengers transported to medical facilities in Agbor for urgent treatment. Authorities confirmed that 24 passengers suffered serious injuries, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical attention.
The NRC also reported that one of its staff members suffered a traumatic limb injury during the incident and is currently receiving treatment in stable condition.
Among the passengers on board were Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Patrick Ukah, alongside hundreds of other travelers.
Expressing sympathy over the tragedy, the Ministry of Transportation and the NRC extended condolences to the families of the victims.
“The Ministry and the NRC extend their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the quick recovery of all those injured,” the statement said.
The corporation further commended the Delta State Government, emergency agencies, security personnel, medical teams, the NRC Mechanical Directorate, the Special Rescue and Emergency Team, and members of the public for their swift response and assistance during the rescue operation.
Officials disclosed that the full passenger manifest has been retrieved and will be made available to relevant authorities as efforts continue to identify all injured and deceased persons for proper documentation and support.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the NRC have launched a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the accident. Authorities said efforts are ongoing to account for all passengers and ensure that affected victims and their families receive the necessary assistance.
The Warri–Itakpe Train Service, one of Nigeria’s busiest standard-gauge rail routes connecting Delta, Edo and Kogi states, has become a critical transportation link for commuters and businesses. The latest accident has raised fresh concerns about rail safety and operational standards as investigators work to determine what led to the deadly derailment and coach capsizing.
