Explosion rocks Rivers community, injures 20, razes 50 houses

Explosion on Thursday night rocked Aleto neighborhood, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, injuring 20 individuals and razing 50 houses.

The incident occurred after a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company ruptured alongside Old Bori Road in Aleto.

Many victims have been mentioned to be rushed to hospitals, whereas stalls and a mechanic workshop, the place automobiles have been parked, have been affected by the explosion.

The Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, who visited the scene, confirmed the incident, stating that he had written to the corporate concerning the leak and petitioned related authorities, however no concrete motion was taken to cease it.

“There was a leakage on one other part 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 pressing 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,” Chuma mentioned.

The Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Dr Fyneface Dumnamene, referred to as on related authorities to intervene and help affected residents.