Explosion, that rocked the football viewing center in Damaturu, Yobe State Tuesday evening, has claimed 14 lives, police claim.
It was made known Wednesday by the state PPRO Nansak Chegwam, who also claimed that 26 people were injured (NAN).
According to Reuters, the tragedy occurred on Tuesday soon after the World Cup game, Brazil vs Mexico, kicked off around 8 pm. It was later learnt that the explosive was planted in a car parked outside the viewing point.
Channels TV reported that scores of people are feared dead. The injured were said to have been rushed to the nearby hospitals.
Several hours after the tragedy Osun Defender referred to the medical sources in hospitals stating that they are reporting casualties.
State police commissioner confirmed the incident to AFP saying:
“There was an explosion outside a soccer viewing centre here in Damaturu at around 8:15 pm. Our men have deployed to the scene but it’s too early for us to give details.”
Later that night a member of the medical staff of Sani Abacha Specialists Hospital in Damaturu told Channels TV that he had already counted 7 corpses and added that 15 other people were in critical condition.
Meanwhile PM News source at the same hospital said they had received 21 dead bodies and 27 injured people.
The source that pleaded anonymity added:
“The victims are young men and children. They have burns, ruptured tissue and bone fractures.”
It would be recalled that on June 11, a day before the Mundial start, the Nigerian police claimed they would enhance surveillance in viewing venues to protect football fans.
Adamawa State officials even banned football viewing centers at all following the advice by the military.
On May 24 three people were killed in the suicide bomber attack on the football spot in Jos, Plateau State, where fans were watching the finals of UEFA Champions League.
Earlier that year, in April, another venue in Yobe was attacked by gunmen, who left two people dead and many injured.
If you wish to know how this story develops, use
Know more about this news? Update the info!