Four Dead, Dozens Injured as Warri-Itakpe Train Derails in Delta

Fresh concerns have emerged over railway safety in Nigeria after four passengers died and several others sustained injuries in a train accident involving the Warri-Itakpe rail service in Delta State.

The Federal Ministry of Transport confirmed on Tuesday that four coaches capsized while another derailed during the incident, which involved hundreds of passengers travelling on the route.

In a statement, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Funsho Adebiyi, disclosed that there were 482 people on board the train at the time of the accident.

According to him, 442 passengers had booked for the trip, while an additional 40 people made up of crew members, security personnel and third-party service providers were also on board.

“Preliminary reports indicate that four coaches capsized while one coach derailed, resulting in the unfortunate loss of four lives, comprising two adult females, one adult male, and one infant passenger,” the statement said.

The ministry revealed that rescue and evacuation operations were completed at about 6:30 p.m., with injured passengers taken to hospitals in Agbor for medical attention.

Officials said at least 24 people suffered serious injuries, while several others sustained varying degrees of wounds during the accident.

The ministry also confirmed that a staff member of the Nigerian Railway Corporation suffered a traumatic limb injury and is currently receiving treatment in stable condition.

Among notable passengers on board the train were Senator Ede Dafinone and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Patrick Ukah.

Authorities said investigations into the cause of the derailment have already commenced, while efforts continue to account for all passengers and identify victims.

“The full onboard manifest has been retrieved and will be made available upon request by the relevant authorities. Efforts are ongoing to identify all the injured and deceased persons for proper documentation,” the ministry added.

The latest accident comes months after another derailment involving the same Warri-Itakpe railway corridor in November 2025, an incident the NRC blamed on railway vandals.

Another train derailment was also recorded in August 2025 when a passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna went off track, sparking panic among commuters.