7 football fans electrocuted in Nigeria: police

Police in Nigeria's southern state of Cross River on Friday confirmed seven people dead and 11 hospitalized in Thursday's electrocution that occurred when some football fans were watching a match at a television viewing center.

The incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m., local time in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, while a Europa Football League match between Manchester United and Anderlecht was being televised.

Hafiz Inuwa, the state Commissioner of Police, gave the numbers at a news conference on Friday in Calabar.

Inuwa said that the briefing became necessary following some reports in some national dailies and online blogs that over 30 persons died in the tragic incident.

"To put the record straight, 18 persons were affected by the incident and taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH)," he added.

"From the records available to us, seven people died on arrival, 10 are in the emergency ward of the hospital while one victim is currently at the intensive care unit of the same hospital," he said.

"The false reports out there are alarming. This press conference will put an end to the rumors out there that over 30 persons died," the police chief told reporters.

Meanwhile, the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has expressed sadness over the death of football fans in Calabar.

"FIFA is deeply saddened by the deaths of several football fans in Calabar and offer our deepest condolences to family and friends of the victims," the world football body wrote on its Twitter handle on Friday.

Manchester United has also commiserated with the families of the dead fans.

United won the game 2-1 and qualified for the semi-finals of the competition. Endit