New reports by Pulse Nigeria claims that there was a first “warning” before viewers at the Calabar viewing center were electrocuted to death.
Though, the number of casualties still quite sketchy, as several tabloids reports about 30 persons lost their life. Contrary to this number, the Cross River State Police Command are insiting that only seven people died.
An eyewitness who spoke to Pulse claims that the high tension cable first fell on top of the viewing center.. which saw all the viewers rush outside.. but nothing happened..
Some fans, however, went back inside to complete the game before the second incident happened that killed and injured several people.
“I was watching a match between Man United and Anderlecht around 8 in the evening and while we are still watching the match we had a sign that the high tension and electricity were sparking and one of the cables fell on top of the roof of the viewing centre,” an unnamed witness told Pulse Sport.
“People rushed out for their dear lives and that first instance there was no casualty. I was the person that leave the viewing centre last.
“Along the line, the people who were watching the match demanded that the generator should be on for them to complete their match and the owner of the viewing centre did the same.
“People going back again into the view centre and around 15 minutes or 10 minutes thereabout, NEPA restored the light again, as NEPA restored the light again, compacting with the generator and the high tension on top of the roof, the thing got sparked again and people rushed again to save their lives along the line they were trapped at the door post by the NEPA light.”
“About 30 people have been confirmed dead, though it is yet to be confirmed by the various hospitals that those people were rushed to,” another witness told Pulse Sport.
“About 30 people have been confirmed dead, though it is yet to be confirmed by the various hospitals that those people were rushed to,” another witness told Pulse Sport.
From the football world, Manchester United, FIFA and the Nigeria Football Federation have all sent condolences messages to the families of the victims
Our thoughts go out to the United fans, their friends and families affected by the tragedy in Calabar, Nigeria, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/WGnHAxpjMV
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 21, 2017
FIFA is deeply saddened by the deaths of several football fans in Calabar & offer our deepest condolences to family & friends of the victims
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) April 21, 2017
Deeply saddened by the tragic news from Nigeria. Praying for the eternal repose of our fans and wishing strength to those impacted. pic.twitter.com/CZa8C9W92P
— Henrikh Mkhitaryan (@HenrikhMkh) April 21, 2017
