Three dead as Warri–Itakpe train derails in Delta

At least three persons have been confirmed dead following the derailment of a train operating along the Warri–Itakpe rail corridor in Agbor, Delta State, on Monday.

The tragic incident has sparked concern over rail safety as emergency responders rushed to the scene to assist injured passengers and manage the aftermath.

In an official statement, Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), confirmed the accident, noting that immediate response efforts were underway.

“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirms that an incident involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) occurred today,” Opeifa stated.

“Emergency response teams and relevant authorities are currently at the scene attending to the situation and providing necessary assistance.”

He added that the corporation is closely monitoring the situation and will provide a comprehensive update as more details emerge.

Meanwhile, the Presidency, in an update shared via X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that three fatalities had been recorded from the incident.

“Sadly, three fatalities have been confirmed at this time,” the statement read.

“Relevant authorities continue to assess the full circumstances surrounding the incident, while support is being provided to affected passengers.”

The statement also conveyed national sympathy to the victims and their families.

“The thoughts and prayers of all Nigerians are with the victims and their loved ones,” it added, urging the public to rely only on verified information and official updates as investigations continue.

Authorities are yet to disclose the cause of the derailment, but investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances that led to the accident.

The Warri–Itakpe rail line, one of Nigeria’s key standard gauge corridors, connects Delta State to Kogi State and serves as a major transport route for passengers and goods.