Some football fans who narrowly escaped death on Thursday night when a high tension cable dropped on the roof of a viewing centre in Nsaha Effiom Village, Nyahasang in the Calabar municipality of Cross River state have narrated their experiences.
The unfortunate incident at the viewing centre was said to have killed eight soccer fans who had gone to watch the UEFA Europa League quarter-final match between Manchester United and Anderlecht.
One of the survivors, a Manchester United fan and community leader in Nsaha Effiom, Nyahasang Qua Clan, Enobong Tommy told Tribunesport how he escaped.
“As we were watching the match we heard an explosion from the transformer and it cut the high tension cable which fell on the viewing centre. People rushed out and at that time, the power supply went off too. I was the last person to leave the hall.
“There was no casualty at that time. The owner of the viewing centre turned on his generator to supply power and people returned to the hall. About 15 minutes later, power supply was restored by PHCN. In the process, the compartment between the generator and the high tension cable dropped on top of the roof and caused damage and made people to lose their lives.
“People who were now rushing out of the hall for safety were trapped at the doorstep, they were falling on one another because the flame of the light was already at the doorstep. Some of them who fell at the doorstep were electrocuted instantly and they died on the spot.
“Efforts to reach the PHCN to put off the light were in vain. We decided to use the police headquarters to call the PHCN office to ask them to put off the light. So along the line they did. Eight persons died on the spot. I am afraid that the death toll may increase because some people who were in critical condition were rushed to various hospitals in Calabar for treatment.
“I survived miraculously because when people rushed in again to watch the match after the generator was on, I did not go in immediately. I was waiting outside for people to go in before I went in. If I had moved in fast, may be I would have been one of the casualties,” he said.
Another lucky Manchester United fan narrated his ordeal.
“More than 60 of us were in the hall watching the match and after about 30 minutes, we heard what sounded like a big bang and then a spark from the electricity cables. Some of us panicked and ran out.
“After a while, we came back into the viewing centre to continue with the match. I was now watching the match from outside peeping through the openings. Shortly after, we heard another heavy sound and this time round, live electricity cable landed directly on the roof of the centre.
“Those inside scrambled to escape through the only door which was already shut, and in that darkness and confusion, they were falling on one another. I remember that it was only one ‘smallish’ man who managed to crawl out to safety. Many of those who were still remaining in that hall may have died.
“Out of shock, I could not count the number of dead bodies I saw being brought out after the tragic episode. The police later came and evacuate the bodies.”
Another survivor, Uka Timothy who is now receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital said those sitting around him in the hall died at the spot but he was lucky to be alive.
Timothy said, “I cheated death because everybody sitting around me died. About eight bodies were evacuated this morning [Friday]. God has a reason for keeping me because I have not fulfilled my destiny. I give glory to God.”
This came as the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, commiserated with the victims and ordered the setting up of a commission of inquiry into the tragedy.
Ayade, who described the incident as tragic and horrifying, said the state government would also offer assistance to the victims and their families.
According to a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Mr Christian Ita, the incident marked a dark chapter in the life of the state.
In the same vein, the Commissioner representing Cross River in the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), Mr Sylvester Nsa, has commiserated with families of the football viewing centre victims.
Discussion about this post