A survivor of the toxic fumes incident that claimed the lives of 37 people in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State has shared a harrowing account of the tragedy, describing how a routine outing turned into a deadly disaster.

The survivor recounted that everything appeared normal before a strong and overwhelming smell suddenly filled the air, causing panic among those present. Within moments, several people reportedly began collapsing after inhaling the fumes.

According to the witness, many victims struggled to breathe and lost consciousness as confusion spread across the area. Some reportedly fell into the water while others attempted to escape but were overcome by the fumes.

The incident occurred at Okari Jetty, where dozens of people were gathered when the toxic substance was released into the atmosphere. The tragedy left families devastated and sparked fresh concerns about the dangers associated with activities around petroleum facilities in the Niger Delta.

The survivor described the scene as chaotic, with cries for help coming from different directions as people desperately searched for safety.

Authorities have since launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident, while emergency responders and local volunteers continue efforts to account for those who remain missing.

Community leaders have called for greater safety awareness and stronger measures to prevent similar tragedies, urging residents to avoid risky activities around oil and gas infrastructure.

The incident remains one of the deadliest recent disasters in the area, with many residents still struggling to come to terms with the loss of lives and the traumatic experiences of that day.