The Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have announced that the death toll from the Warri-Itakpe train accident has risen to five. The accident occurred on Monday, June 8, 2026, along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor near Agbor, Delta State.
Details of the Incident
In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engineer Funsho Adebiyi, it was revealed that four coaches capsized while one coach derailed, resulting in the tragic loss of five lives. The deceased include four adult passengers and one baby.
Injuries and Casualties
Twenty-four passengers sustained serious injuries, while several others suffered varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention. One NRC staff member reportedly suffered a traumatic limb injury and is now in stable condition undergoing treatment.
A total of 442 passengers were booked on the train, along with 40 crew members, security personnel, and third-party service providers, bringing the total number of persons on board to 482.
Rescue and Response
Rescue and evacuation operations were immediately activated with support from the Delta State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Police, Civil Defence, local authorities, and other emergency responders. The operations were completed by 6:30 pm on the day of the accident.
Assistance also came from Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Dafinone, and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Patrick Ukah, among others.
Investigation and Documentation
The full onboard manifest has been retrieved and will be made available to relevant authorities upon request. Efforts are ongoing to identify all injured and deceased persons for proper documentation. A full investigation into the cause of the accident has commenced, while efforts continue to account for all passengers and provide support to those affected.
The Ministry and the NRC extended their condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the quick recovery of all those injured. They also commended the swift intervention of emergency responders and members of the public who assisted in the rescue efforts.
