There was heightened tension at NIPCO station along the Benin-Auchi Expressway, Edo State, on Wednesday, after a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered vehicle exploded.
According to reports, the incident left three people severely injured, including a motorist who suffered eye injuries.
An attendant at the station on Thursday, said that two others, a woman whose stomach was ripped open and another person whose foot was amputated due to the blast, are also receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Ugbowo.
It was revealed that the explosion was as a result of a cylinder that had been fabricated by a welder without proper approval.
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The welder has reportedly turned himself into the police.
The source said: “The explosion occurred while vehicles were queuing to refill their cylinders at the station. The vehicle being attended to suddenly exploded.
“One motorist suffered an eye injury, a woman’s stomach was torn open, and another person’s foot was amputated from the impact.
“They are all at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital receiving treatment, and we hope none of them will lose their lives.”
Meanwhile, after the explosion at the CNG station, a technician was mandated to inspect cylinders before vehicles would refill their cylinder.
Attempts to speak with the station manager were unsuccessful.
However, the Public Relations Officer of UBTH, Joshua Uwaila, confirmed that he had spoken to the man with the eye injury, who was reported to be in stable condition.
