Two Die in Road Accident, 17 Injured in Gas Explosion in Rivers State

Two people died in a road accident in Rivers State.
A gas explosion in Orazi injured 17 people and destroyed shops.
Survivors from both incidents are receiving treatment at RSUTH.

Tragedy struck in Rivers State over the weekend as two separate incidents claimed lives and left many injured.

On Friday night, a fatal road accident occurred around the Elelenwo area of Port Harcourt. Two passengers in a Toyota Corolla lost their lives after the car rammed into a stationary truck.

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Police operatives from the Rivers State Command transported three victims to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). While two were pronounced dead on arrival, a female passenger is in critical condition and remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Eyewitnesses reported that the vehicle was returning to Port Harcourt from the Eleme axis when the accident occurred. The victims seated in the front were found trapped under the truck, while the backseat occupant narrowly survived but sustained severe injuries.

In another tragic incident on Saturday, a gas cylinder explosion rocked the Big Tree area of Orazi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The explosion, caused during a gas refill, left 17 people with severe burns. The resulting fire spread quickly, destroying nearby shops and goods displayed outside.

Several of the injured were reportedly passersby caught in the flames while walking near the shop at the time of the explosion. Witnesses said the victims were immediately rushed to RSUTH’s emergency unit for urgent medical attention.

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Authorities are yet to release an official statement regarding both incidents, but the Rivers State Police Command and local agencies are expected to investigate and address safety concerns.

The two events highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures on roads and in handling gas-related activities to prevent future tragedies.