Eight
persons have been confirmed dead and over 100 hospitalised after a
Chlorine cylinder explosion in Jos, the capital city of Plateau State in
north-central Nigeria.
The injured victims of the Chlorine
cylinder explosion at the Plateau State Water Board treatment plant at
Dogon Karfe in Jos South Local Government Area, are currently receiving
treatment at various hospitals.
The acting
Chief Medical Director of Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Dr Philemon
Golwa, explained that a leakage at the plant was responsible for the
deaths, as residents around the water treatment plant inhaled the
chemical.
Mr Golwa said others persons affected were receiving
treatment for irritation of respiratory tracks, cough, headache and body
weakness.
Having visited the scene of the incident, Zonal
Director of the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Agency
(NESRA), Dr William Arabs, advised residents to report to any hospital
for check-up.
The General Manager of the Plateau State Water
Board, Lambart Gomzuk, said the quick response of his agency, the Water
Resources and Rural Electrification Ministries, was responsible for
early evacuation of victims to the hospitals where they are receiving
treatment.
He blamed the residents for encroaching into some sensitive areas such as the treatment plant.
The
State’s Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Hanatu
Dantong, said the situation had been contained by government agencies.
He
assured residents that the contamination did not affect the water
supply to the public through the main water pipes, stating that it was
safe for human consumption.
Mr Dantong added that efforts were being made to relocate people within such sensitive areas.
Credit: Channels
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