Eight people were killed and 100 others injured in a chemical explosion at Lamingo Water Treatment Plant in Jos, capital of Plateau state, on Saturday.
Emmanuel Abu, spokesman of the police command in the state, confirmed the incident, saying the explosion occurred around 4am.
“An explosion associated with chemicals used in treating water at Lamingo water treatment plant injured about 50 people,” he told NAN before the toll increased.
“Those injured were rushed to the hospital where five were confirmed dead and the rest put on admission.”
Abu said the police command had deployed experts from its explosive device unit to ensure safety, while efforts were being taken to prevent recurrence.
A source at the water board told NAN that the explosion followed a chlorine burst at the plant, which injured many and razed down nearby houses. Witnesses confirmed that excess chlorine gas inhalation was still prevalent as at midday on Saturday.
OLA Hospital, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Plateau Specialist Hospital and Air Force Hospital, are battling to save the victims. At the hospitals, children were seen with bloated abdomens while adults were gasping for breath.
Two students from the National Film Institute (NFI), Jos, which is closed to the water treatment plant were among the victims that died.