The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that 18 people suffered severe injuries following a gas explosion in the Oroazi community of Port Harcourt.
The explosion occurred on Sunday evening at a gas refilling shop, causing significant damage to nearby buildings and leaving residents in shock.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson, confirmed the incident during an interview on Monday. She explained that the explosion was caused by a welder who was simultaneously repairing a refrigerator and using a gas cylinder to refill it.
She said, “Yes, I can confirm that the explosion was caused by a technician who was welding while refilling gas on a refrigerator. No fewer than 18 persons, including the technician, sustained injuries, but fortunately, no lives were lost.”
Iringe-Koko stated that the victims, including a pregnant woman, four children, and a couple, suffered varying degrees of burns and were immediately taken to the Rivers State Teaching Hospital for treatment.
She assured the public that the police have launched an investigation into the incident to determine its full cause and will share their findings soon.
An eyewitness named Tamuno described the scene as devastating, noting that the explosion triggered a chain reaction with other gas cylinders in the shop.
“The victims were mostly residents and passersby who happened to be near the shop when the explosion occurred,” he said. “It was heartbreaking, but we rushed many of them to the hospital and are praying for their survival.”
This incident adds to a series of gas and Improvised Explosive Device explosions reported in Rivers State since 2024, raising concerns about safety measures in handling flammable materials.
Authorities are urging the public to prioritize safety to prevent similar accidents in the future.
