PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, Manchester United Football Club and world football ruling body, FIFA, have all commiserated with families of the Calabar football fans who died while watching a Europa League match between Manchester United and Anderlecht FC on Thursday.
About 30 fans were electrocuted in the Cross River state capital after a transformer exploded at the Nyagasang area of Atimbo on Thursday.
The explosion led to an electricity pole falling on the roof of the viewing centre where fans were watching the Manchester United versus Anderlecht match.
President Buhari, in a statement on Friday, expressed shock and sadness over the tragic event.
A statement issued by Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu in Abuja on Friday said the president commiserated with the government and people of Cross River state and football fans nationwide over the unfortunate incident.
He commended the state government for the prompt action in setting up a commission of inquiry into the incident, and its offer of assistance to the victims and their families.
The President offered his deepest condolences to the family and friends of the mostly young victims, “whose sudden demise is a big blow not only to their families, but also to the football-loving nation.”
He prayed that God Almighty will grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and comfort all who mourn their irreparable loss.
Manchester United, on their Twitter handle, @ManUtd, on Friday, tweeted: “Our thoughts go out to the Manchester United fans, their friends and families affected by the tragedy yesterday in Calabar, Nigeria.”
Also, world football governing body the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), has commiserated with the families of the Calabar victims.
The world football body, on its Twitter handle, @FIFAcom, wrote on Friday: “FIFA is deeply saddened by the deaths of several football fans in Calabar & offer our deepest condolences to family & friends of the victims.”
