Eighteen people were injured in a gas explosion that occurred in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, on Sunday evening.
The explosion took place at a gas refill station in the Oroazi community, causing damage to nearby buildings.
Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident on Monday, explaining that it was triggered when a welder’s equipment malfunctioned while he was repairing a refrigerator.
The welder, who was using a gas cylinder to weld and simultaneously refilling the refrigerator, caused the explosion.
“No fewer than 18 persons, including the technician, sustained injuries, but fortunately, no lives were lost,” Iringe-Koko said.
She added that the victims, who suffered burn injuries of varying degrees, have been transferred to the state university teaching hospital for treatment.
An investigation into the incident has been launched by the police command.
