BREAKING: Explosion rocks Rivers community, injures 20, razes 50 houses
Explosion Injures 20, Destroys Homes in Rivers State Community
A significant explosion occurred Thursday evening in the Aleto community of the Eleme Local Government Area in Rivers State, injuring at least 20 people and destroying 50 homes.
The incident was triggered by a rupture in a pipeline operated by the Nigeria Gas Company along Old Bori Road. Many of the injured were quickly transported to local hospitals for treatment. The explosion also affected nearby stalls and a mechanic workshop, where several vehicles were parked.
Daniel Chuma, the Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, visited the site and confirmed the scale of the damage. He stated that he had previously alerted the Nigeria Gas Company about ongoing issues with the pipeline and had filed a petition with the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment. However, he noted that no effective measures were taken to address the leak.
“There was a leakage on another section of the Nigeria Gas Company. We wrote to them and submitted a petition for urgent intervention,” Chuma said. “We requested a joint investigation, but we do not know what actions, if any, were taken before today’s explosion. Now we face significant destruction, with over 50 houses damaged and numerous casualties.”
Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene, the Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, has urged government authorities to intervene and provide assistance to the affected residents.
