Nigeria explosion: '100 dead' in gas plant blast as crowds queue to fuel for Christmas Day
The explosion set off a fire that raged for hours, according to witnesses
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As many as 100 people are feared dead after an explosion at a crowded Nigerian gas plant as scores queued to fill their cooking cylinders ahead of Christmas.
Witnesses described seeing “thick, black smoke” and a huge fire that raged for hours following the explosion at the Chikason Group Gas plant in Nnewi, a predominantly Christian community in southeast Nigeria, at around 11am on Thursday.
Many of the victims were burnt “beyond recognition,” Emeka Peters, 36, told Associated Press.
"I doubt if many family members of the dead victims would be able to identify the remains of their loved ones", he continued.
Survivors have been taken to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi
Mr Peters told Associated Press the fire “exploded like a bomb,” and the “whole gas station went up in thick, black smoke amidst an explosion from cooking gas cylinders".
"Many people were killed, and most of them were those that had been in the station queuing all day to get their cylinders refilled."
The blaze was so intense rescue workers were unable to enter the plant, according to local newspaper Vanguard.
"Five hours after the explosion and the depot was still burning," witness Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu told the BBC. He added the Red Cross and fire services remained on the scene.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments