About 37 persons suspected of oil theft have died after inhaling a petroleum product believed to be crude oil in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident reportedly occurred early Thursday when youths allegedly attempted to load the product into a vessel from an illegally tapped point at a jetty in the area.
Several others were said to be missing following the incident, which occurred in the mainly coastal community.
It was gathered that more than 100 persons from Okrika and neighbouring communities had stormed the jetty in locally made boats to load the product from the illegal tapping point.
A source in the community told PUNCH Online that a strong smell filled the area while the product was being loaded, causing several of the youths to collapse.
