Bille Fire: Victim Dies

Author: Gist Correspondent

A victim of the Bille Community fire incident in Rivers State, Joy Amos, has died while receiving treatment at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).

Amos was among those injured in the incident and had been receiving medical care at the hospital after the Rivers State Government took responsibility for the treatment of victims.

The Coordinator of the PILEX Centre, Courage Nsirimovu, who confirmed her death, called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the victim’s death.

Nsirimovu also called for an independent autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, amid concerns over continued gas leakage in parts of the community.

He alleged that gas seepage had persisted in some areas despite the earlier explosion and claimed that another explosion recently occurred in a nearby compound.

The PILEX coordinator urged relevant authorities to consider the temporary relocation of residents in areas deemed unsafe until appropriate safety measures are put in place.

The development comes months after the House of Representatives Committee on the South South Development Commission criticised the response of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency to the prolonged gas seepage in Bille.

The committee had described the situation as a serious environmental and public health emergency.

The Federal Government had earlier said medical care and relief materials were provided to affected residents between July 27 and September 1.