- Abinibi explained that the explosion involved a gas cylinder and occurred while Akaie was working alongside two assistants
- The two assistants who were with him at the time suffered burn injuries and were immediately taken to a specialist medical facility
- The producer disclosed that investigations have begun to establish the exact cause of the explosion
A tragic accident has claimed the life of a special effects professional, James Akaie, during a film shoot in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the production team has confirmed.
In a statement shared on Friday, Eko Hot Blog gathered that the film’s producer and director, James Abinibi, announced that Akaie died after an explosion occurred near the end of filming, describing the incident as devastating for everyone involved in the project.
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According to the statement, the late Akaie, who worked as a Special Effects and Pyrotechnics Artist, was injured when an explosion went off in an effects preparation area located outside the main set. The incident reportedly happened while he was testing a pyrotechnic setup that had not been approved for use.
Abinibi explained that the explosion involved a gas cylinder and occurred while Akaie was working alongside two assistants. The blast left him with critical injuries, and although he was rushed to the hospital, he later died from the wounds sustained.
The two assistants who were with him at the time suffered burn injuries and were immediately taken to a specialist medical facility. They are said to be responding to treatment and are currently in stable condition.
The producer disclosed that investigations have begun to establish the exact cause of the explosion, noting that the production team is fully cooperating with relevant authorities while also conducting an internal review.
He added that further details would be withheld out of respect for the deceased’s family and the ongoing investigation.
Paying tribute to Akaie, Abinibi described him as a highly skilled and committed professional whose passion for special effects left a strong impression on the cast and crew.
He also appealed to the public to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and members of the production team as they mourn the loss, adding that updates would be communicated as inquiries into the incident progress.
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