Abia police command on Thursday confirmed two people dead and more than 10 hospitalised as a gas explosion rocked a Chinese firm, Inner Galaxy Steel Company, in Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State on Tuesday.
According to the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, the Chinese firm’s Chief Security Officer informed the command after the incident.
The explosion was reportedly triggered by a faulty gas valve, causing widespread damage within the facility.
Responding to inquiries, the Mayo of Ukwa West LGA, Dike Briggs Nwankwo, revealed the immediate steps taken by his office upon receiving news of the incident.
Nwankwo said, “The social media was flooded with various reports, some claiming that as many as 20 people had died. I immediately left my office and rushed to the factory. When I arrived, I was taken straight to the affected section, where I saw that the explosion had completely ripped apart the roof.”
He disclosed that a CCTV footage reviewed by the factory’s management confirmed that the explosion occurred while a customer was handling a gas cylinder valve, adding, “12 people were affected, two have died, and the remaining 10 are receiving treatment at a hospital in Port Harcourt. As of this morning, I can confirm that they are responding to treatment”.
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