A devastating gas explosion occurred on Sunday evening at a gas refilling shop in the Oroazi community of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, leaving 18 people severely injured. According to SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, the explosion was caused by a welder repairing a refrigerator while simultaneously refilling gas into it.

“The technician was using a gas cylinder to weld while trying to refill gas into the refrigerator, which led to the explosion,” Iringe-Koko explained. “No fewer than 18 persons, including the technician, sustained injuries, but fortunately, no lives were lost.”

Eyewitness Tamuno described the explosion as devastating, noting that the victims included a pregnant woman, four children, and a couple. “The explosion triggered a chain reaction, causing other gas cylinders in the shop to explode,” he said. “Most of the victims were residents and passers-by who, unfortunately, happened to be near the shop at the time.”

The injured victims suffered varying degrees of burns and were promptly taken to the hospital, where they are receiving treatment. The Rivers State Police Command has launched a full investigation into the incident and will share their findings with the public.

This latest explosion is part of a worrying trend of gas and Improvised Explosive Device incidents recorded in Rivers State since 2024. Experts recommend several safety measures to reduce the risk of gas explosions, including regular inspection of gas cylinders and equipment, proper training for gas handlers, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and public awareness campaigns.