PANIC AS EXPLOSION ROCKS IJU-ISHAGA AREA OF LAGOS STATE.
Sept. 24. 2020
Things fall apart at about 3:30 pm on Thursday as a loaded gas tanker exploded around the Iju Hill axis of Ajuwon road.
witnesses revealed that, at least one person died in the blast that left several others critically injured. While also destroying scores of buildings and many cars, with some beyond repair.
While speaking with the media personnel at the site of the explosion, LASEMA’s Director of Operations, Engr Olatunde Akinsanya said 16 injured persons had been taken to the Iju Water Works clinic, where they are receiving treatment.
Akinsanya made known that the Gas Tanker which was being operated by Manna Gas Ltd, wanted to offload its content at a gas station, but the gas station reportedly refused to allow him because a seal had been broken, indicating that the content had been tampered with.
The Driver who was angered by the refusal of the station manager to allow the content in his tanker to be offloaded, moved a few meters away from the gas station. while at it, the front tire of the tanker bursted and the gearbox compartment struck the ground causing a spark that led to an explosion after it came in contact with gas that was leaking from the tanker. The vehicle landed in a ditch, where a second explosion erupted.
According to LASEMA officials, the impact of the explosion spread about 300 radii from the scene of the incident.
The Lagos State Government had earlier put the casualty figures at 16, however, a post-disaster assessment late on Thursday revealed that the total number of casualties is 30, consisting of 10 adult females and 20 adult males. Of which two are in critical condition, and have been transferred to the General Hospital in Ikeja.
Among the buildings destroyed are the X and Y Event Center and the Idera Oluwa Plank Market where 15 shanty shops were engulfed. A total of 23 buildings were destroyed in the blast, while 15 vehicles were left with varying degrees of dents. According to figures released by LASEMA.
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