Tragedy struck on Friday in Daffo community, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, after an explosion at a filling station claimed the lives of two welders and left three other people injured during repair work on an underground fuel tank.
The incident occurred at Natty Filling Station while maintenance was being carried out on a leaking section of the underground tank.
According to eyewitness accounts and community sources, the welders were working on the damaged area when the blast suddenly erupted.
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A community leader and Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in the area, Kefas Mallai, confirmed the incident, explaining that the explosion happened during routine welding repairs.
He said the victims were a welder and his apprentice who were unaware of the danger at the time of the work.
Mallai explained that the workers believed the tank was empty and therefore safe to repair.
However, shortly after they began welding, the tank ignited and exploded, engulfing the area in flames.
“There was no fuel in the tank, and they assumed it was safe.
But immediately they started work, it exploded with fire everywhere, killing the two artisans instantly,” he said.
Three other individuals who were nearby at the time of the blast sustained injuries and were rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Residents of the community quickly gathered at the scene following the explosion as panic spread across the area.
Authorities are expected to further investigate the cause of the incident and assess safety procedures at the facility.
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