20 injured in Port Harcourt gas explosion

At least 20 people, including a pregnant woman, four children, and a couple, were seriously injured in a gas explosion that occurred on Saturday afternoon in the Orazi axis of Port Harcourt.

The incident took place near a densely populated area known as “Big Tree” causing panic among residents and passersby as the sound of the explosion reverberated through the neighbourhood.

An eyewitness said the explosion occurred at a gas refilling shop when a technician attempting to repair a faulty cylinder accidentally triggered the blast.

The explosion set off a chain reaction, igniting other cylinders within the shop and starting a fire.

Several victims sustained severe burns and were immediately rushed to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

A relative of one of the victims, who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the owner of the shop had been operating the business for several years, often conducting welding work alongside gas refilling.

Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Superintendent, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stating that 18 injured persons are receiving medical attention.

Iringe-Koko described the incident as sad and stated that a welder was carrying petrol to refill the fridge while repairing it.

“Yes, I can confirm the incident. It was a technician repairing a fridge carrying a gas cylinder to weld the fridge when it exploded,” she said.

“18 persons were injured but no life was lost. The man himself was injured. They are all in the hospital receiving treatment. We (the police) have commenced an investigation to find out more.”