(DDM) – A massive tragedy struck on Monday when an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train derailed near Jere Station, leaving at least 178 people dead and 89 others critically injured, according to early reports from emergency responders.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) in a video footage gathered that the train was carrying hundreds of passengers when it suddenly went off the tracks, tossing carriages into the surrounding bushland.
Survivors described scenes of chaos, with injured passengers screaming for help and bodies lying scattered around the crash site.
Emergency services rushed to the location under tight security, as rescue teams battled to reach those trapped inside the twisted metal coaches. Witnesses reported hearing loud metallic sounds before the train derailed, though authorities are yet to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Medical teams have transported 89 injured passengers to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Kaduna for urgent treatment. Hospitals in nearby towns have also been placed on high alert to manage the overwhelming number of casualties.
Officials have sealed off the crash site to prevent looting and interference with ongoing investigations. A senior rail official, speaking under anonymity, revealed that a technical panel will be set up immediately to ascertain whether mechanical failure, sabotage, or human error triggered the accident.
President Bola Tinubu has been briefed about the disaster and is expected to issue a statement shortly. Transportation authorities have temporarily suspended all Abuja-Kaduna train operations pending safety checks and further directives.
Families of passengers have begun trooping to hospitals and makeshift information centers to confirm the status of their loved ones. Emotional scenes unfolded at the Abuja and Kaduna rail terminals as relatives wept openly while awaiting official casualty lists.
Security operatives have cordoned off the entire area, urging members of the public to stay away while rescue and recovery operations continue. Officials fear that the death toll may rise as more bodies are recovered from the wreckage.
Rail safety analysts say this incident could spark renewed calls for stricter maintenance protocols and advanced safety technologies on Nigeria’s railway network, which has witnessed past attacks and mechanical faults.
More details will be provided as authorities give updates on ongoing rescue efforts and investigations into the cause of this catastrophic accident.