At
least 30 persons died of electrocution on Thursday night in Calabar while
watching the Europa Football League match between Manchester United and
Anderlecht.
Twenty
eight of the victims died on the spot while two died in the hospital. About 50
others were injured.
The
incident happened at around 9.30 pm at Nyagasang area of Atimbo in Calabar
Municipality local government area of the state.
NAN
learnt the electrocution of the victims happened when a nearby transformer
exploded twice during the match. The second time, the high tension wire snapped
and dropped on the viewing centre built with zinc.
An
eye witness told NAN that when the transformer exploded the first time, it
brought so much panic, with dozens of people leaving the centre.
“We
were all inside watching the match when we heard the first explosion from the
transformer; the heavy sound caused panic because some people shouted and ran
out.
“After
a while, we came back into the viewing centre to continue with the match.
Shortly, we heard another heavy sound and when some people tried to run away
from the centre, they were affected.
“Over
50 of us escaped death yesterday because we were standing by the door watching
the game’’, he said.
A
NAN Correspondent who visited the viewing centre said it was built with zinc
and part of it was burnt by the cable that fell on it. Inside, the installed
fans and the television screen were all burnt.
ASP
Irene Ugbo, the State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident
to NAN in an interview.
“We
have heard of the incident, some of the people were rushed to the University of
Calabar Teaching Hospital for treatment.”
The
Chief Medical Director of the hospital said a statement would be released in a
few hours
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