There was panic at the Alake Sports Complex in Ijeja, Abeokuta, after a gas explosion rocked one of the venues for the ongoing Gateway Games 2024, also known as the 22nd National Sports Festival.
The incident happened on Tuesday while a gas truck was refilling the generator that powers the complex. Eyewitnesses said the truck suddenly caught fire, causing a loud blast that shook the area and left many athletes and spectators in fear.
The explosion occurred at a gas refilling point behind the sports complex. The blast caused confusion among residents and sports participants, but emergency responders arrived quickly and were able to put the fire under control.
Although there were no confirmed reports of injuries or deaths at the time of this report, officials said investigations were ongoing to assess the full impact.
Events at the venue, including handball, squash, and badminton, were briefly paused but had resumed by the time this story was filed.
The National Sports Festival is being hosted by Ogun State, with thousands of athletes from across Nigeria gathered for the competition.
Officials at the venue have assured the public that safety measures are being strengthened to prevent future incidents.
More details later ….
