Many injured in Rivers gas plant explosion

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) said its team is investigating a gas explosion that is believed to have killed one and injured many.

The Nations reports that the incident happened over the weekend at a gas plant in Rumuodomaya, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.

The trucks inside the facility were burned beyond recognition.

According to Nations, five persons suffered severe burns and were rushed to the hospital.

A resident said: “Musa is among them. We call him our papa. He is still in the hospital. The people in the hospital said they don’t know if he will survive.”

Another source complained that gas plants are clustered in a residential area.

He said: “I don’t think all these companies are supposed to be close to residential areas.

“Nobody came here. It was only the police that were trying to protect people and property and blocked the roads so that cars will not enter.”

The incident which occurred about 8:45 pm on Saturday threw residents into panic.

An eyewitness said some workers were discharging gas at the station when the incident occurred. Zonal Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources, Port Harcourt Zonal office, Bassey Nkanga confirmed the incident.