Confirmed reports from Plateau state indicates that eight people have died while 101 others injured in the gas explosion at the Plateau State Water Board early Saturday.
In a statement made available by the Plateau state government on Saturday through Mr. Emmanuel Nanle, the director of press and public affairs to Governor Simon Lalong confirmed the incident, but said it has been controlled.
According to him: “One hundred and one (101) people are receiving treatment at OLA Hospital, Evangel Hospital (Jankwano), Plateau Specialist Hospital and Airforce Hospital, some of which have been discharged,” the statement said. “Eight (8) people have been confirmed dead as a result of the inhalation of the contaminated air.”
Mr. Nanle added that “there was an excess Chlorine inhalation from an exploded Chlorine Cylinder by residents around the Lamingo Water Board Treatment Plant “The contamination has been contained and does not affect the water supplied to Public Mains. Water from the public mains is safe for consumption and is not affected in anyway.”
The government condoled with victims and promised that it was taking “immediate measures to address the issues of expired components of the treatment plant and to guard against future re-occurrence of this unfortunate incidence”.
The spokesperson of the Nigeria police in Plateau state, Abuh Emmanuel, had earlier confirmed the death of five persons in the incident. Mr. Abuh made the disclosure in a telephone interview.
According to him, the incident occurred early hours of Saturday, when residents of the area were still in bed. The police spokesman said a police rescue team visited the scene and evacuated victims to the Plateau State Specialist Hospital.
He said, “A chemical explosion occurred today, between the hours of 3 and 4 am at the treatment plant of Plateau state Water Board, along “British American” junction streets.
“Those affected mostly are members of the immigration service, because their estate is located near the plant. I was to explain that it is not an IED blast, but a chemical explosion.”
The water treatment plant is in a busy area, close to the main road leading to Jos main market. Water vendors buy water at the plant and sell in locations were potable water is unavailable.
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