At least 37 people died after inhaling toxic fumes while allegedly siphoning crude oil at an illegal tapping point in Nigeria’s Rivers State, according to reports.The incident occurred on Thursday at Okari Jetty in Okrika Local Government Area, where the victims were reportedly attempting to transfer crude products into boats when they were exposed to fumes released at high pressure.The Nigerian police confirmed the incident on Friday but did not provide a death toll, saying an investigation was underway.“The Rivers State Police Command can confirm the deaths. The victims were allegedly attempting to steal crude oil,” Rivers State police spokesperson Blessing Agabe said.The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Center said the victims were simultaneously siphoning crude products from an “illegal tapping point”, news agency Associated Press reported, citing a network of volunteers. Many others are still missing, according to the report.Oil theft is common in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, Africa’s biggest oil-producing region, where decades of oil exploration have contributed to widespread poverty and environmental degradation.
