Four Dead, Several Injured As An Explosion Takes Off In Onitsha Market

Four people have reportedly lost their lives while 12 others were injured in various severity following an explosion at the Onitsha Chemical Market on Tuesday.

According to a source, the explosion caused an inferno in the area, destroying more than N850 million worth of goods.

The source revealed that the explosion happened at around 12:45 pm, causing a panic, which was then followed by fire.

He further disclosed that the four deaths were caused by a stampede as traders fled for safety.

The source said, “Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Mr Emeka Orji contacted the Anambra State Fire Service boss, Martin Agbili, who deployed officers of the department from Okpoko in Ogbaru Local Government Area and that of Asaba in Delta State.

“Also the Council Chairman contacted the DPO Fegge, Rabiu Garuba who deployed officers and men to the market to guarantee the security of goods and other properties belonging to the traders.”

Mr Nweke Uchenna, one of the market traders, said to reporters, “We were at our shops as usual when we heard a loud noise like a bomb blast and we saw thick smoke from some shops upstairs and everyone started running for safety.

“Then people started shouting for help and we saw people carrying traders from those shops that were on fire and some were burnt badly, while some seem to have been suffocated by the smoke and the stampede.

“We don’t know how much that has been lost to the fire but it can be estimated at N850million to about N1 billion because the goods are strong chemical products that are highly inflammable.”

The Anambra State Police command spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, saying: “The casualty figure is not certain now, but our operatives led by DCP John Ogbodoaga are still there, and the situation has been brought under control.”