Gas Explosion in Calabar Injures 60 People

A gas explosion at a filling station in the Edibe Edibe area of Calabar South, Cross River State, Nigeria, injured at least 60 people on Saturday morning, prompting a swift government response to provide medical care and assess the damage.

The blast occurred around 9:40 a.m. at the Fomex Gas Station, a private facility handling petrol and gas in a densely populated neighborhood. According to state police officials, the incident stemmed from a gas leak during the transfer of gas from a storage tank to a service tank. A hose detached, releasing fumes that rapidly ignited, engulfing the site in flames. The explosion damaged the station's fuel and gas storage tanks, destroyed several vehicles on the premises, and affected nearby shops and buildings, with property losses estimated in the millions of naira. No deaths were reported, but victims suffered varying degrees of burn injuries and other trauma.

Initial assessments at the scene put the number of injured at 30, as stated by Governor Bassey Otu during his visit to the site later that day. By Sunday, Health Commissioner Dr. Henry Ayuk updated the figure to 60 following his inspection at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital,...