A fatal explosion occurred in the Sapele metropolis of Delta State, resulting in one person’s death and several injuries on Tuesday evening. The incident took place at a dump site along Mission Road around 6 pm, where local scavengers collect scrap materials.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device mistakenly brought to the site by one of the scavengers. The deceased, identified as a northerner, suffered severe injuries from the blast.
Additionally, at least two others, including nearby residents, were critically injured and are currently receiving medical attention. The community is in shock and mourning due to the tragic event.
A senior police officer, speaking anonymously, suggested that the explosion might have been triggered by a scavenger unknowingly handling a hazardous item, possibly mistaking it for scrap metal such as a gas or fire extinguisher cylinder. Investigations are ongoing to uncover more details.
Local authorities are investigating the incident, and community leaders are expressing concerns about the lack of safety measures at dump sites in Sapele and its surroundings. Chief Zacchaeus Edmoreda highlighted the risks faced by scavengers due to inadequate oversight at multiple dump sites in the area.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer for the Delta State Command for comments on the explosion were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.