A tragic explosion in Sapele, Delta State, on Tuesday evening has left one person dead and several others injured. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. at a dump site along Mission Road, where local scavengers regularly store scrap materials.
According to witnesses, the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) that was unknowingly brought to the dump site by one of the scavengers. The blast severely injured one person, identified as a northerner, who died from the explosion’s impact.
“The explosion was devastating. One person lost his life, and at least two others, including people living near the dump site, were critically injured. They are currently receiving medical treatment,” said an eyewitness who did not want to be named.
The blast has left the community in shock.
“The entire area is mourning,” added the source.
A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, shared that the explosion may have been triggered by a scavenger unknowingly handling the dangerous item.
“It’s possible the scavenger mistook the IED for scrap metal. Our initial suspicion is that it could have been a gas cylinder or a fire extinguisher. We are investigating to determine exactly what happened,” the officer said.
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Local authorities are working to uncover the details of the incident. Meanwhile, community leaders are raising concerns about the safety of scavenging operations in Sapele. Chief Zacchaeus Edmoreda, one of the town’s leaders, expressed worry about the increasing risks scavengers face.
“There are numerous dump sites operating without proper oversight. With over 15 dump sites scattered across the town, the lack of safety measures puts scavengers at significant risk,” Chief Edmoreda said.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State, SP Bright Edafe, for an official statement were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. The investigation into the explosion continues as the community calls for better safety regulations to prevent future incidents.