Popular Nollywood special effects artist James Akaie has died after sustaining severe injuries in an explosion at a movie location in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The tragic incident occurred during a filming session when an unexpected explosion broke out in an effects preparation area located outside the main film set.
Akaie was reportedly experimenting with an unauthorised pyrotechnic simulation involving a gas cylinder at the time of the incident.
The news of his death was confirmed by filmmaker James Abinibi.
He announced the development in a statement shared on the RockBottom Flix Instagram page on Friday.
According to Abinibi, Akaie was rushed to the hospital after the explosion but later succumbed to his injuries.
Two of his assistants who were present during the incident sustained serious burn injuries and were immediately transferred to a specialist hospital for treatment.
Also, he added that the assistants are currently in stable condition and continue to receive medical care.
The incident has sparked renewed conversations around safety standards on Nollywood film sets.
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Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues and fans within the Nigerian film industry.
They mourn the loss of a talented professional whose work contributed significantly to Nollywood productions.
