Gas explosion rocks Rivers community, destroys houses

Several persons have been hospitalised following a gas pipeline explosion that destroyed houses and vehicles in Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The explosion, which occurred on Thursday evening following a pipeline rupture along Old Bori Road, also affected nearby buildings, roadside stalls and a mechanic workshop where several vehicles were parked.

Victims were said to have been rushed to hospitals for treatment, while the fire spread to surrounding buildings.

Confirming the incident, the Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, alleged that the community had earlier reported a gas leak involving the Nigeria Gas Company pipeline and petitioned relevant authorities without receiving adequate intervention.

Chuma, who visited the scene, said the community had written to the company and petitioned the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, with the police copied, over an earlier leak involving another section of the pipeline.

“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.

“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,” he said.

The council leader further alleged that no representative of the company had visited the scene following the explosion.

He said community members had cordoned off the affected area with barrier tape and warned residents to keep away to prevent further casualties.

“What we have done is to cordon off the incident scene with barrier tape and ask our community people to stay away.

“Before now, everyone scampered for safety. The few who came were asked to stay far away to avoid any further incident,” Chuma added.

Meanwhile, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) confirmed the incident, disclosing that several people had been hospitalised.

The organisation’s Executive Director, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, called on the Rivers State Government, the Federal Government and relevant environmental agencies to urgently intervene and provide assistance to affected residents.

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“We are using this medium to call on the relevant authorities, the Rivers State Government, the Ministry of Environment, NOSDRA, the Federal Government and all the bodies involved in checking oil spills and gas explosions to come to the aid of Aleto people. This is a serious incident,” he said.

Dumnamene added that the fire was still burning when he issued his statement, warning that it had spread to surrounding buildings.

He urged the relevant authorities to take urgent steps to contain the fire, protect residents and address the situation in the affected community.