Explosion injures 20, destroys 50 houses in Rivers community

An explosion rocked Aleto community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday evening, injuring about 20 people and destroying more than 50 houses.

The incident occurred following a rupture in a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company along Old Bori Road in Aleto.

Several victims were reportedly rushed to hospitals for treatment, while the explosion also affected shops, a mechanic workshop and vehicles parked in the area.

The incident caused damage to properties in the community, with residents expressing concern over the pipeline leak that reportedly preceded the explosion.

Council leader alleges prior warning

The Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, who visited the scene, confirmed the incident and alleged that the company had previously been notified about the leak.

Chuma said he had written to the Nigeria Gas Company and petitioned relevant authorities over the pipeline leakage but claimed that no concrete action was taken to prevent the incident.

“There was a leakage on another section of the Nigeria Gas Company. We wrote to them and submitted a petition to NOSDRA and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, copying the police for urgent intervention,” he said.

He added that the authorities had been asked to conduct a joint investigation into the reported leakage.

“We asked for a joint investigation. We don’t know what they did before they left. Today, we were called to an explosion at the same Nigeria Gas Company pipeline that has destroyed over 50 houses and cars, with many casualties. People have been rushed to the hospital,” Chuma said.

The council leader’s comments raised concerns about the handling of the reported pipeline leak and the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion.

YEAC-Nigeria calls for intervention

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, called on relevant authorities to intervene and provide support for residents affected by the incident.

The appeal comes amid concerns over the safety of residents and the damage to homes and businesses in the community.

Authorities are expected to establish the cause of the pipeline rupture and determine the circumstances that led to the explosion.

The extent of the injuries, the condition of the victims and the full scale of the property damage had yet to be independently established as of the time of reporting.