The police command in Rivers State has said that 18 persons were severely injured in a gas explosion that occurred in Oroazi community in Port Harcourt.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening at a gas refilling shop, causing significant damage to nearby buildings.
The latest explosion follows a series of gas and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incidents recorded in the state since 2024.How my ordeal with pastor made me turn to Tarotism, Shalom Dogoh Spiritualist, Tarot therapist0:00 / 1:00
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the commandโs spokesperson, confirmed the incident during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
According to her, yes, I can confirm that the explosion was caused by a welder repairing a refrigerator.
โโThe technician was using a gas cylinder to weld while simultaneously trying to refill gas on the refrigerator, which led to the explosion.
โNo fewer than 18 persons, including the technician, sustained injuries, but fortunately, no lives were lost,โ she added.
Iringe-Koko stated that those injured suffered varying degrees of burns and were promptly evacuated to the hospital, where they are receiving treatment.#She also confirmed that the police have launched a full investigation into the incident and would share their findings with the public.
An eyewitness, identified as Tamuno, described the incident as devastating, noting that the victims included a pregnant woman, four children, and a couple.
โThe explosion triggered a chain reaction with other gas cylinders in the shop also exploding.
โMost of the victims were residents and passersby who unfortunately happened to be near the shop at the time,โ he said.#He added that many of the victims were rushed to the Rivers State Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt and expressed hope for their survival. (Vanguard)