Gas factory explosion kills two, 10 hospitalised
The Abia State Police Command, on Thursday, confirmed two people killed and more than 10 hospitalised when a tragic gas explosion rocked a Chinese firm, Inner Galaxy Steel Company, in Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
According to the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, the Chinese firm’s Chief Security Officer informed it after the incident on Tuesday.
The explosion, which occurred on Tuesday morning, was reportedly triggered by a faulty gas valve, causing widespread damage within the facility.
Responding to enquiries on Thursday, the Mayor, Ukwa West LGA, Dike Briggs Nwankwo, recounted the immediate steps taken by his office upon receiving news of the incident.
Nwankwo, who suspended all official engagements to visit the scene, described the devastation caused by the blast.
“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 said.
He disclosed that a CCTV footage reviewed by the factory’s management and local authorities confirmed that the explosion occurred while a customer was handling a gas cylinder valve, stating, “Twelve 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 well to treatment.”
