There are fears that dozens of people, including women, have died in an explosion at a crude oil tapping site in the Rumuekpe community of Emuoha Local Government Area in Rivers State.

The incident reportedly took place around 2am on Friday when a bus carrying crude oil caught fire while attempting to reach an illegal refining point in the area.

Fyneface Dumnamene, an environmentalist and executive director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, confirmed the incident, stating that the organization received the news through its 'Crude Oil Spill Alert Response System.'

The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, also confirmed the incident to the media, adding that the Divisional Police Officer was en route to the scene.

More details soon...