At least 37 dead in Nigeria pipeline incident, group says

The incident, the worst known death toll since at least October 2023, highlights the persistent problem of crude oil theft and ​pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta, where illegal tapping ​has caused deaths, pollution and losses to Nigeria’s oil industry.

At least 37 people died after inhaling fumes as they tried to tap an oil pipeline in ​southern Nigeria, an environmental group said on Friday, though ‌authorities have not confirmed the toll.

The environmental group said ‌the ⁠incident occurred at Okari Jetty while a vessel was loading and suspected thieves were siphoning a petroleum product under high pressure into boats.