The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that 18 individuals sustained severe injuries following a gas explosion in the Oroazi community of Port Harcourt on Sunday evening.
The explosion, which occurred at a gas refilling shop, caused significant damage to surrounding buildings.
The incident is part of a troubling series of gas-related explosions and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) occurrences that have been reported in the state since the start of 2024.
Police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the explosion during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday.
According to Iringe-Koko, the explosion was triggered by a welder who was repairing a refrigerator at the time. The technician was reportedly using a gas cylinder for the welding job while simultaneously attempting to refill gas into the refrigerator, which led to the blast.
“The technician was using a gas cylinder to weld while simultaneously trying to refill gas into the refrigerator, which led to the explosion. No fewer than 18 persons, including the technician, sustained injuries, but fortunately, no lives were lost,” Iringe-Koko stated.
The injured victims, including the technician, suffered varying degrees of burns and were quickly transported to local hospitals for medical treatment. Despite the severity of the incident, there were no fatalities reported.
Iringe-Koko assured the public that a full investigation has been launched by the police to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion, with the findings to be made public in due course.
An eyewitness, identified as Tamuno, described the blast as devastating. He noted that the explosion caused a chain reaction, triggering other gas cylinders in the shop to detonate. Among the victims were a pregnant woman, four children, and a couple.
“The explosion triggered a chain reaction, causing other gas cylinders in the shop to explode. Most of the victims were residents and passers-by who, unfortunately, happened to be near the shop at the time,” Tamuno said.
He further added that many of the injured were taken to the Rivers State Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt, expressing hope for their full recovery.
This explosion highlights ongoing safety concerns related to gas-related incidents in the region, as local authorities work to address these hazards and prevent further accidents.
