Another body has been recovered from the rubble of the gas pipeline explosion at the Abule Ado axis of Lagos State, raising the death toll to 21.
The recent recovering comes four days after the incident which the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said was caused when a truck hit some gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant located near the corporation’s System 2B pipeline right of way.
The State Government also declared two persons missing, disclosing that 468 people were displaced from their homes after the gas exploded in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government.
Confirming the recovery on Thursday, the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said 100 persons have been moved to the Igando Relief Camp for adequate welfare.
“The teams continue to carry out recovery and salvage operations at the incident site. An additional body was retrieved today bringing the total number of fatalities to 21,” he said.
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“468 people were displaced from their homes and 100 of them are now in the relief camp. Two missing. Our help desk remains manned and our personnel is available to manage enquiries and arrange transfer to the LASEMA relief camp for those who have need of shelter and food”.
Worried by the apprehension from relatives of victims and sympathizers, Oke-Osanyintolu appealed for calm, saying, “We appeal for calm and urge members of the public to keep away from the scene, as they continue to provide updates.”
Last Sunday a pipeline explosion occurred at the Abule-Ado area around Festac town in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the state.
The massive blast reportedly rocked neighbouring areas, sparking a massive blaze that destroyed nearby buildings including a school.