Manchester United mourn fans death in Nigeria

shakirudeen taiwo

April 21, 2017 1:55 PM

It is illegal in Nigeria to building under an electricity pole.

Football lovers watching a match at a typical local centres in Nigeria.

The English football club, Manchester United, has released a statement of condolences on its twitter handles, concerning an incident leading to the death of dozens of the club's fans in Nigeria.

United tweeted to say the team's "thoughts go out" to those affected by the tragedy. The incident involved an electrical cable tragedy.

According to reports, the incident took place at a sport viewing centre in Calabar, Nigeria, while over 80 Manchester United supporters were watching club’s Europa League match against the Anderlecht.

Government Officials said at least seven people had died, and 10 more were critically injured when the wire fell on the roof of the centre. However, residents expect the death toll to be ultimately far higher.

The Calabar state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, said: "It was heart-wrenching that the lives of the young men were lost through electrocution."

Football viewing centres are spread across major cities in Nigeria. It has in recent time, these centres have become an avenue for football lovers to satisfy their thrust for game.

shakirudeen taiwo