An explosion has rocked a popular viewing centre in Damaturu, Yobe State, with scores of football fans feared dead.
The explosion occurred shortly after the kick-off of the Brazil vs. Mexico match in the ongoing World Cup.
Witnesses said that the bomber brought the explosive devices in a tricycle shortly after the commencement of the Brazil – Mexico encounter which kicked off around 8PM local time as the bomb went off almost immediately.
Medical personnel on duty at the Sani Abacha Specialists Hospital in Damaturu the Yobe State capital, confirmed to Channels Television that several casualties were being brought to the hospital for medical attention.
“I can confirm to you now that lots of people are seriously injured as a result of the blast and are being brought to this hospital for medical attention”, he said.
The medical personnel also revealed that at the moment he counted seven dead bodies, stressing that the figure may rise as those affected were still being brought to the hospital.
He also said that 15 others were in critical conditions at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital.
Security agencies are yet to comment on the incident.
The Plateau State Police Command had placed a ban on football viewing centres across the local government areas in the state for security reasons, as earlier in June, a bomb blast targeting football fans at a viewing centre in Mubi in Adamawa State, northeast Nigeria had killed several people.
