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| President Muhammadu Buhari |
President
Muhammadu Buhari says he is shocked and saddened by the death of several
football fans last night, at a viewing centre in the port city of
Calabar.
BBC
Africa Live reports:
The
fans were watching a Europa League match between Manchester United and
Anderlecht when a live electric cable fell onto the building, electrocuting
those inside.
Police
say at least seven people died and 11 injured in the incident, although
witnesses say more died.
Mr
Buhari offered condolences to the victim's families and commended Cross River
State authorities for setting up a commission of inquiry into the incident and
for offering to help the victims and their families:
The
President offers his deepest condolences to the family and friends of the
mostly young victims, whose sudden demise is a big blow not only to their
families, but also to the football-loving nation.
He
prays that God Almighty will grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and
comfort all who mourn their irreparable loss."
30 Football Fans
Feared Dead In Calabar Viewing Centre Tragedy
The
Punch reports that no fewer than 30 persons watching the Europa League football
match between Manchester United and Anderlecht perished in Calabar on Thursday
evening.
A
survivor told one of our correspondents that a transformer near the viewing
centre located in the Iyang-Esu area of the Calabar Municipal Local Government
Area exploded during the match and this caused a high-tension cable to drop on
the viewing centre.
The
survivor said amid sobs, “It happened during the match between Manchester
United and Anderlecht. I heard a deafening bang. I rushed out to see what was
happening. When I turned back to go inside the viewing centre, I saw a cable
coming down on the centre and this electrocuted the viewers in the hall.
“It
was a horrible sight to behold. I wish I didn’t come out to watch the match.
Come to think of it, I have DStv at home but I enjoy watching matches at
viewing centres. I could have been dead. I can’t believe that the people I was
chatting and joking with a few minutes ago are all gone in a most anguishing
way. This world is vain.”
A
resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said more than eighty persons
were in the hall when the cable came down.
The
resident said, “The whole thing happened within a minute or two. It happened
about 9:48pm. Those that died have been taken to the mortuary. A few that
survived have been taken to hospitals.”
The
Police Public Relations Officer, Cross River State Command, Irene Ugbo,
confirmed the incident.
She
said the number of casualties would be confirmed on Friday (today).
Manchester
United reached the Europa League semifinals for the first time after beating
Anderlecht 2-1 on Thursday.
The English team, however, lost two key players to injury during the match. The big Swede, Zlatan Ibrahimovich and Marcos Rojo sustained injuries during the tension-soaked encounter.
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