Friday 25 December 2015

Nnewi Explosion: Death Toll Rises To Eight - Police

Contrary to initial media reports that about 100 people lost their lives in the deadly explosion that rocked a gas plant in Nnewi, in Anambra state, the Nigeria Police Force has revealed that only eight people lost their lives.
Reports credited to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) have it that the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Ali Okechukwu on Friday, December 25, informed that eight persons died from the inferno, adding that two bodies, a mother and her baby, were later recovered at a nearby building.
A scene from the explosion which took place on Thursday, December 24 in Nnewi, Anambra state. About eight people reportedly lost their lives.
While regarding the initial report as alarming and misleading”, the police chief said: “After the incident, six persons were confirmed dead outside the perimeter fencing of the company.
“Two other bodies of a woman and her child were later found dead in an adjourning building.
“Six other persons who were seriously injured were also rushed to the University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, and later referred to the hospital in Enugu.
On what led to the explosion, Okechukwu said it may have occurred at a time when domestic gas was being dispensed to customers, “I think there was disconnect which led to the explosion,” explaining further that investigation was still ongoing to ascertain the exact cause of the explosion.
The acting director of the state’s Fire Service, Innocent Mbonu, who confirmed the report, stated that although some nearby buildings were affected, six persons died before the service came.
He said: “Tentative report says the fire, which was extinguished after a fierce battle, was caused by domestic gas explosion which distributed fire to some buildings around.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has since reacted to the unfortunate incident, expressing utmost regret over the loss of lives in Anambra state following the explosion at an industrial plant.

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