The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has confirmed the death of seven oil workers killed in an explosion that occurred at Gbetiokun, OML 40, operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), on behalf of the NPDC/Elcrest Joint Venture.

A statement from the corporation said the incident occurred on Wednesday, July 8 during the installation of a ladder on a platform (Benin River Valve Station) for access during discharging of Gbetiokun production.

The statement said that a detailed investigation into the cause of the explosion has commenced.

”The bodies of casualties have been deposited in a morgue in Sapele, while families of the personnel involved are being contacted by their employers: Weld Affairs and Flow Impact, which are consultants to NPDC.” the statement adds