A gas explosion in Oroazi community in Port Harcourt on Sunday, has left about 18 people with varying degrees of injuries.
According to the Rivers State Police Command, the incident happened at a gas refilling shop and affected nearby buildings.
There have been a series of explosions from gas and improvised explosive devices in the state since 2024.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the Command’s Spokesman, said the explosion occurred while a welder was repairing a refrigerator.
“The technician was using a gas cylinder to weld, while simultaneously trying to refill gas into the refrigerator.
“No fewer than 18 persons, including the technician, sustained injuries, but fortunately, no lives were lost,” she said.
Iringe-Koko said the Police had launched full-scale investigation into the incident and would share their findings with the public.
According to reports, 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.
