NRC Says Possible Wheel Defect May Have Caused Deadly Warri-Itakpe Train Derailment

The Nigerian Railway Corporation says a possible wheel or bogie defect is the leading preliminary explanation for the June 8 derailment of the Warri-Itakpe train near Owa-Oyibu, Agbor, Delta State. The accident killed four people and injured 64 others. The train left Itakpe with 482 people on board and was approaching the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station when five coaches, a locomotive and a power car were affected. Three coaches and the power car overturned. The NRC said all passengers were evacuated within two hours, while most injured victims were treated and discharged within 72 hours. The corporation said its internal inquiry found no evidence of track vandalism and that the railway points were intact. It cautioned that the suspected wheel or bogie fault remains a working hypothesis, as the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau continues an independent investigation. The NRC said the line will not resume operations until detailed safety audits of the track and equipment are completed. It also pledged stronger maintenance, staff training, emergency drills and prompt replacement of defective components.

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