Explosion has reportedly rocked the football viewing center in Damaturu, Yobe State.
According to Reuters, the tragedy occurred on Tuesday soon after the World Cup game, Brazil vs Mexico, kicked off around 8 pm.
Channels TV reports that scores of people are feared dead. The injured were said to have been rushed to the nearby hospitals.
No specific figures regarding deaths have been provided at the time of filing this report. However, Osun Defender refers 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."
The site has been reportedly cordoned off.
UPDATE:
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.
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.
by ROTMANLUV 2023-07-08, 17:34
