At least eight persons have been confirmed dead as a result of a chemical explosion at the Plateau Water Board treatment plant in Jos, the Plateau State capital yesterday morning. No fewer than 101 others are currently receiving treatment from poisonous inhalation.
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, who confirmed the incident to journalists in a statement signed by his Director of Press Affairs, Nanle Emanuel, said, “There was an excess chlorine inhalation from an exploded chlorine cylinder by residents around the Lamingo Water Board Treatment Plant as a result of which 101 people are receiving treatment at OLA Hospital, Evangel Hospital (Jankwano), Plateau Specialist Hospital and Airforce Hospital, some of which have been discharged.” Lalong said the contamination had been contained and would not affect the water supplied to the public.
“Government wishes to commiserate with the families of the victims of this industrial hazard and has taken immediate measures to address the issues of expired components of the treatment plant and to guard against future reoccurrence of this unfortunate incidence,” he added. The state government has also offered to foot the medical bills of the victims.
However, the spokesman for the state police command, DSP Emmanuel Abu, confirmed that the incident was as a result of chlorine explosion from a treatment plant at water board. At the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos, little children were seen with bloated stomachs while other adults were seen gasping for air.
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