File: Viewing centre

Details are emerging of how no fewer than 30 persons were electrocuted to death on Thursday night in Calabar, Cross River State, South-south Nigeria while watching the Europa Football League match between Manchester United and Anderlecht.

The incident happened at around 9.30 pm at Nyagasang area of Atimbo in Calabar Municipality local government area, according to News Agency of Nigeria.

When NAN visited the area, it was observed that a transformer near the viewing centre exploded during the match and this caused a high tension cable to drop directly on the viewing centre.

NAN quoted an eye witness who escaped death as saying the electrocution was preceded by an explosion of a transformer which brought so much panic and tension.

“We were all inside watching the match when we heard the first strike from the transformer; the heavy sound caused panic because some people shouted and ran out.

“After a while, we came back into the viewing centre to continue with the match. Shortly, we heard another sound heavy sound and when some people tried to run away from the centre, they were affected.

“Over 50 of us escaped dead yesterday because we were standing by the door watching the game’’, he said.

NAN observes that the viewing centre was constructed with zinc, while the television screen were also destroyed.

“We have heard of the incident, some of the people were rushed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for treatment,”  ASP Irene Ugbo,   Police Public Relations Officer of Cross River Police Command said while confirming the incident.

She added that investigation into the incident has commenced.