[AFRICA] Nigerian Oil Pipeline Explodes. Many Killed

A pipeline used to transport gasoline exploded in a suburb of Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, killing ``many people,'' said Okon Umoh, a spokeswoman for the Nigerian Red Cross.

The explosion occurred in the Ijegun district of Lagos, causing a fire that spread to nearby buildings, Umoh said in an interview today from the city. She couldn't say what caused the explosion or how many people were killed.

``The fire is still burning, many houses have been destroyed and many people are dead according to our people on the scene,'' Umoh said

Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer. The affected pipeline is part of a domestic fuel-distribution network running from Lagos Port to different parts of the west African nation. It isn't clear what caused the explosion, though previous incidents have been attributed to vandals seeking to siphon fuel from pipelines.

At least 28 people died on Dec. 26 when an explosion occurred on a pipeline in the Ikate district of the city as they were scooping fuel from a ruptured gasoline pipeline.

Levi Ajuonuma, spokesman for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp., wasn't immediately available for comment when called by Bloomberg News today.

Source: Bloomberg| By Dulue Mbachu

No comments: