Many people are feared dead at a football viewing centre in Calabar, the Cross River State capital after being electrocuted by a high tension cable that reportedly fell on them.
Eyewitnesses put the number of the dead at 30, with the state government claiming seven, while one of the hospitals where the some of the bodies were taken to acknowledged receiving eight bodies.
The football fans were said to have assembled at the centre to watch a UEFA Europa League quarter-final match between Manchester United and Anderlecht on satellite television.
Channels Television’s correspondent in Calabar, reported that the live electricity cable broke from its mooring and fell on the viewers.
viewing centre in calabar
A witness, who said he was the first to run out of the viewing centre, also stated that the victims died as a result of a contact between the live cable and the roof of the viewing centre.
Electricity authorities said it is illegal to erect any building around areas with high tension cables.
