The Federal Government has confirmed the death of four persons and serious injuries to 24 others following the train accident that occurred along the Warri–Itakpe Train Service corridor near Agbor in Delta State.
The confirmation was made in an official statement issued on Tuesday by the Nigerian Railway Corporation through the Federal Ministry of Transportation and signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Funsho Adebiyi.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that four coaches capsized while another coach derailed during the tragic incident, leading to multiple casualties and injuries among passengers onboard the train.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation regrets to confirm that a serious train accident occurred yesterday along the Warri–Itakpe Train Service corridor near Agbor, Delta State,” the statement partly read.
It further disclosed that the accident claimed the lives of four passengers, including two adult women, one adult man and an infant.
“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 statement added.
The ministry also revealed that a total of 442 passengers had booked the train for the journey, while an additional 40 persons made up of crew members, security personnel and third-party service providers were onboard at the time of the accident.
The cause of the accident had not been officially established as of Tuesday, although authorities said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances that led to the derailment and capsizing of the coaches.
Emergency responders, railway officials, medical personnel and security agencies were said to have swiftly mobilised to the scene following reports of the accident.
Rescue operations reportedly continued for several hours as officials worked to evacuate trapped passengers, provide medical attention to the injured and secure the affected section of the rail corridor.
According to the statement, the 24 injured passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were receiving treatment at nearby medical facilities.
Government officials expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured the public that all necessary support would be provided to victims and survivors of the incident.
The Federal Ministry of Transportation described the accident as deeply unfortunate and pledged full cooperation with investigators handling the case.
“The Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation extend their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” the statement noted.
Authorities also assured passengers and the general public that safety remained a top priority within Nigeria’s railway system and that appropriate measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence.
The Warri–Itakpe rail corridor is one of Nigeria’s major standard gauge railway lines and has become increasingly important for passenger movement and commercial activities connecting parts of Delta, Edo and Kogi states.
The railway service has over the years been regarded as a safer and more affordable transportation option for many Nigerians, especially amid rising insecurity on some highways.
Tuesday’s accident has therefore sparked widespread concern among passengers and transportation stakeholders regarding railway safety and operational standards.
Some survivors reportedly recounted moments of panic and confusion as coaches suddenly tilted and overturned during the journey.
Passengers were said to have struggled to escape from the affected coaches while rescue teams and nearby residents rushed to assist victims at the scene.
The incident also caused temporary disruption of activities along the railway corridor as officials worked to clear the tracks and assess the extent of the damage.
Transportation experts say the accident highlights the urgent need for continuous maintenance, infrastructure inspection and improved emergency response systems within the country’s railway sector.
Some analysts have also called for a comprehensive safety audit of railway operations nationwide to identify potential weaknesses in rail infrastructure and operational procedures.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation stated that a detailed technical investigation had already commenced to determine the immediate and remote causes of the accident.
Officials said findings from the investigation would guide future safety improvements and policy decisions aimed at strengthening rail transportation across the country.
Meanwhile, sympathisers, passengers and residents have continued to express shock over the incident, with many calling for increased investment in railway safety technology and staff training.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to the importance of reliable transportation safety systems as Nigeria continues efforts to modernise and expand its railway network.
For many families affected by the accident, however, the focus remains on recovery, support for survivors and mourning the lives lost in one of the most serious rail incidents recorded along the Warri–Itakpe corridor in recent times.
