President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday expressed sadness over the tragic event that took the lives of several Nigerians at a football viewing centre in Calabar, Cross River on Thursday night.
The President commiserated with the government and people of Cross River state and football fans nationwide over the unfortunate incident.
He commended the State government for the prompt action in setting up a commission of inquiry into the incident, and for its offer of assistance to the victims and their families.
In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, he said, “I offer my 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”.
Buhari prayed that God grants the souls of the departed eternal rest and comfort all who mourned their irreparable loss.
The incident happened at about 9.30 p.m. at Nyagasang area of Atimbo in Calabar Municipal Local Government Area while fans were watching the Europa league match between Manchester United and Anderlecht.
A survivor of the tragic incident told newsmen 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 caused a high-tension cable to drop on the viewing centre.
Meanwhile, the Chief Operating Officer, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), Kingsley Achife has commiserated with families and friends of those electrocuted at the football viewing centre.
In a statement on Friday in Abuja, the Head, Corporate Communications of PHEDC, Mr. John Onyi, said Achife sympathized with those who sustained various degrees of injuries during the incident.
He disclosed that seven persons were electrocuted while11 others sustained injuries, following the incident contrary to earlier reports in the media which put the number of the dead at 30 persons electrocuted while 50 others were injured.
Recall that UNICAL 11kv feeder snapped on Thursday night at Akpanden Street, Atimbo, Calabar, resulting to the death of 7 persons and 11 others injured.
Onyi said, “The corpses have been deposited in the mortuary, while the survivors are currently receiving medical attention at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital”.
Achife expressed displeasure over the incident and said that the affected feeder had been isolated to ensure that lives and properties were secured in the area.
According to him, an investigation team has been constituted with a view to finding out the remote and immediate causes of the accident.
“Our heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved families. May God give the families the courage to bear the loss.
“We also sympathize with those who sustained injuries and wish them quick recovery”.
Achile further encouraged electricity consumers to always adhere to safety rules by not erecting any structure under high tension lines.
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