Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that 18 individuals were severely injured in a gas explosion that occurred in the Oroazi community of Port Harcourt on Sunday evening.
The explosion took place at a gas refilling shop, causing extensive damage to surrounding buildings. This incident is the latest in a series of gas-related and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) events in the state since 2024.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson, provided details in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, confirming that the explosion was triggered by a welder attempting to repair a refrigerator.
“The technician was welding using a gas cylinder while also trying to refill gas into the refrigerator, which led to the explosion,” Iringe-Koko explained.
She confirmed that 18 people, including the technician, were injured, though fortunately, no fatalities occurred. The injured individuals suffered various degrees of burns and were promptly taken to the hospital for treatment.
Iringe-Koko further stated that a comprehensive investigation into the incident has been launched, and the findings will be shared with the public.
An eyewitness, identified as Tamuno, described the incident as tragic, noting that among the injured were a pregnant woman, four children, and a couple.
“The explosion set off a chain reaction, causing other gas cylinders in the shop to explode,” Tamuno said. “Many of the victims were passers-by and local residents who happened to be near the shop when it occurred.”
Most of the injured were taken to the Rivers State Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt, and hopes remain high for their recovery.