An explosion at the popular Ogbo Ogwu International Market, Bridge Head, Onitsha, Anambra State on Tuesday left at least four people dead and 12 more hurt, according to a witness and an official.
Emeka Umeagbalasi, the leader of the CSO, Intersociety, and a witness to the incident reported that the explosion took place in a market area that sells chemicals, causing a fire that destroyed some businesses while “four persons died and scores (were) injured.”
Emeka Orji, the chairman of Onitsha South local government area, verified the death toll to reporters and said that at least 12 others had been hurt in the stampede to exit the market.
A spokesman for the Anambra State Police said that although the number of casualties was unknown, the situation was under control and that an investigation was being conducted.
In a statement, Mr. Martin Agbili, Director/Fire Chief of Anambra Fire Services, said that the fire and explosion at the chemical market near Onitsha Head Bridge hurt 80 businesses.
In his account, the event happened only in the Science and Lab Line of Ogbo Ogwu Market, not throughout the entire market in Onitsha.
”It is really a terrible situation but the fire is under control now. The vibration from the explosions caused the collapse of some market buildings.
“A lot of safety measures have been taken to protect the entire market. There are casualties but we can’t ascertain the actual number of death and the injured”, he said.
Millions of naira’s worth of products and property were also lost in the fire.
