Nigeria's president has said the country is in "shock and trauma" following the deaths of at least 100 people from an explosion at an illegal oil refinery.
President Muhammadu Buhari described the incident in Imo state, southern Nigeria, as a "catastrophe and a national disaster".
Many victims were burnt beyond recognition.
The police are now looking for the owner of the illegal refinery.
The damage to fishing and farming caused by the oil industry over the decades and the failure to share the oil wealth has led some to find other ways to make money.
Illegal refining is attractive as in parts of the oil-rich Niger Delta it is seen as being relatively easy to pull off, despite efforts to halt the practice.
Dozens of people were thought to have been working at the refining plants when they were caught in the huge fire.
The death toll has risen as emergency workers go through the scene. Ifeanyi Nnaji of the National Emergency Management Agency told BBC Igbo that the number killed now stood at 109.
"We learnt many bodies are in nearby bushes and forests as some illegal operators and their patrons scampered for safety," he earlier told the AFP news agency.
Charred human remains, as well as fragments of belongings, such as flip flops, bags and clothing, were witnessed across the scene of the disaster by a journalist for the Reuters news agency.
In a statement on Sunday, Mr Buhari offered his condolences to families of the victims and said those responsible for the explosions must be caught and brought to justice.
The authorities have been struggling to curb the proliferation of illegal plants where stolen crude oil is refined. The president ordered security forces to intensify efforts to shut these refineries.
It is not yet clear what caused the explosion that happened sometime overnight into Saturday, but accidents have been common in the past at similar dangerous sites where safety measures are not enforced.
There have been concerns over a lack of precautions at such facilities as well as over the environmental pollution they cause.
But Nigeria's official oil refineries do not work to capacity, causing frequent fuel shortages and price increases across the country.
Latest Stories
-
NPP must win back Adentan seat in 2024 polls – Obeng Fosu
12 mins -
PPA Clarification: The dark side of the World Bank’s ‘giveaways’ in Ghana by Bright Simons
1 hour -
Blinken says China helping fuel Russian threat to Ukraine
2 hours -
MHA declares May as Purple Month for Mental Health Awareness
2 hours -
WAEC arrests former headmaster over illegal students registration
2 hours -
MeToo founder Tarana Burke defiant after Harvey Weinstein ruling
3 hours -
Be alert, insist on decent messages – Dwumfour tells media
3 hours -
Father jailed 10 years for burning daughter’s genitals with hot cutlasses
3 hours -
I aim to help Ghana produce world-class athletes – Asamoah Gyan
3 hours -
Ashanti Regional Minister alleges sabotage in electricity supply
3 hours -
2024 Elections: Dampare urges Ghanaians to prioritise patriotism and display maturity
3 hours -
‘Let it rot’ campaign hits fish prices in Egypt
4 hours -
Otumfuo chalks 25 years on Golden Stool today
4 hours -
Saudi could get first Miss Universe contestant this year
4 hours -
Ghana Shippers’ Authority initiates steps to sign Service Level Agreements with stakeholders
4 hours