One of the victims is receiving treatment at MMSH in Kano. Credit: Aliyu Dahiru/HumAngle
A deadly gas explosion that occurred in the Sheka area of Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kano State, Northwest Nigeria, killed three schoolchildren and injured 32 others on Thursday, June 2, HumAngle can report.
According to eyewitnesses, the explosion occurred near a fried fish vendor in a gas plant as schoolchildren returned home from evening classes.
The fire caught the leaking gas when the fish vendor was fanning it, according to Bashir Sani Ahmad, the Chairman of the local neighbourhood association.
“The incident occurred twice within a short interval. Only two persons, including the gas seller, were injured in the first explosion,” he said.
“Everyone thought the fire had been put out before the second, and the deadly explosion occurred.”
He added that when the second explosion occurred, about 30 children and passersby gathered were affected.
“The firefighters arrived on time and quickly put out the flames. Twenty-five victims were taken to hospital at night, and later in the morning, we found an additional ten who ran to their homes after the incident,” he explained.
According to Ahmad, many children are still missing as a result of the explosion, as families have claimed that some of their children have not returned home since the tragedy.
Muhammad Garba, whose home was damaged by the fire, told HumAngle that all of his valuables were burned to ashes and parts of the structure fell.
“There were also two girls selling roasted corn around the location who were affected in addition to school children. They, as well as several passers-by, were affected,” he said.
He pleaded with the authorities to help them because some have lost everything and others don’t even have enough food to eat.
HumAngle spoke with the parents of the pupils who were injured in the event at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, where the victims were transported to receive medications.
HumAngle spoke with the parents of the pupils who were injured in the event at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, where the victims were transported to receive medications.
Yusuf Isa, whose son Abdussamad was affected while walking home from school, said he was in the market when his wife called and told him his kid was about to die.
“I received over 30 calls from my daughter too. When I contacted her, she informed me that Abdul had been injured in the gas explosion,” he explained.
Another mother, who did not provide her name, told HumAngle that her daughter had returned from school but had sent her to the store to get some supplies.
“The second explosion occurred as she returned home from the provision shop I sent her. She was in her school uniform. Both her face and body were impacted,” the woman explained.
Kano state has several small gas plants in the residential areas putting many people in danger of its explosion.
HumAngle had tried reaching the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) to hear whether gas plants are allowed in residential areas. Still, the number of the authority was not reachable. On May 17, nine persons died when the gas exploded in the Sabon Gari area of the city. Several other persons sustained injuries.
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