Police probe gas explosion in River

Confirm 18 people injured

The Police in Rivers State yesterday commenced a full investigation into the gas explosion incident in the Oroazi community in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The incident, which occurred in the evening of Sunday at a gas refilling shop, caused significant damage to nearby buildings, leaving 18 persons severely injured.

Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident, said the police have launched a full investigation into the incident and would share their findings with the public. She stressed that the explosion was caused by a welder repairing a refrigerator.

‘’The technician was using a gas cylinder to weld while simultaneously trying to refill gas on the refrigerator which led to the explosion.

“No fewer than 18 persons, including the technician, sustained injuries but fortunately, no lives were lost,” 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.

An eyewitness, identified as Tamuno, described the incident as devastating, noting that the victims included a pregnant woman, four children, and a couple.

“The explosion triggered a chain reaction with other gas cylinders in the shop also exploding.

“Most of the victims were residents and passers-by who unfortunately happened to be near the shop at the time,” 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.