Seventeen people have been officially confirmed dead with 25 others rescued with varying degrees of injuries in the gas pipeline explosion which rocked the Abule Ado area of Lagos State.
Femi Oke-Osayintolu, the managing director of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) released the figurres in a statement, saying the injured are currently receiving treatment in a hospital where they were taken.
The explosion triggered by a gas leakage from the pipeline at about 9:05am, also left hundreds of people homeless, as about 200 houses, shops, vehicles, churches and a nearby Bethlehem Girls College Owned by the Catholic Church, were destroyed.
A lot of the casualties were said to be students of the school boarding in the hostel which collapsed and buried some people under the rubble.
The scene of the incident looks more like a war zone, with unquantifiable devastation to the environment.
Aside these, people in their hundreds have suddenly become displaced persons in an incident in which two LASEMA Response Teams as well as the Lagos State Government Fire Service, RRS, of the Nigerian Police, and other first responders were in full attendance.
“There were a number of secondary explosions which have caused significant damage to multiple buildings including the leveling of a church to ground zero and the destruction of school hostel housing girls.
“The causes are yet to be determined, while security agents are investigating the cause of the explosion and recovery, rescue activities were carried out by the ministry of special duties, LASEMA, Lagos State and federal fire service crew, safety commiission, LABSCA and other first responders.
“17 bodies have been recovered, while 25 casualties are being treated for injuries on site. We sympathise with the families of the dead and wish the injured quick recovery. We appeal for calm and urge residents to shun fake news,” said Oke-Osayintolu.
Rescue and investigative operations are still ongoing at scene of the incident this morning, with heavily armed security personnel manning the adjoining areas.
