President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep regret over the loss of lives following Thursday’s gas explosion at an industrial complex in Nnewi, Anambra State.
About 100 people were estimated to have died after a butane gas tank caught fire causing explosion at an industrial gas plant. The bodies of those waiting at the station to buy cooking gas ahead of Christmas celebrations were charred as the fire raged for hours.
A statement issued in Abuja on Friday by President Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said the president was greatly shaken and shocked by such large-scale loss of human lives in a single industrial accident.
The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has also condoled with the families of the victims.
Describing the incidence as “tragic and regrettable”, Obi who said he was downcast, prayed to God to grant repose to the dead and courage to those they left behind to bear the loss with equanimity.
Obi expressed solidarity with the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, the Igwe of Nnewi and the entire Nnewi people, especially the Chicason Group over the incidence.
“Nnewi is directly affected by the unfortunate incidence, we must show solidarity with them, bearing in mind that, as Donne John said, ‘Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind,” Obi said.
He lamented the proportion of human tragedy in Anambra this year, including the accidents that happened at Umuchu, Nanka and the fire outbreak in several markets. Obi prayed to God to guide and guard the State in 2016 so as not to witness such gory scenes again.
Some witnesses reported that the tanker was unloading its gas dangerously.
