The Director-General Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, has said “17 bodies have been recovered while 25 casualties are being treated for injuries sustained” in the Abule Ado pipeline explosion.
The National Emergency Management Agency earlier said 15 people were lost to the incident.
Oke-Osanyintolu gave the new figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday.
He sympathised with the families of those that died and wished the injured ones a quick recovery.
Oke-Osanyintolu urged residents of Abule Ado to shun fake news concerning the explosion.
“The LASEMA Response Team arrived at the incident scene and it was discovered that a raging fire had displaced several residents who fled their abodes for fear of being caught up in the inferno.
“The primary cause of the explosion is yet unknown.
“There are a number of secondary explosions which have caused significant damage to multiple buildings including the levelling of a Church to the ground and the destruction of St. Margaret’s Girls Hostel.
“The causes are yet to be determined. Security agents are investigating the cause of the explosion,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
He said that recovery and rescue activities were carried out by the Ministry of Special Duties, LASEMA, Lagos State Fire Service crew, Federal Fire Service Department, Safety Commission, Lagos State Building Control Agency and other first responders.
(NAN).