An explosion inside a ship anchored on the Marina end of the Lagos waters killed one, injured three and damaged about 13 cars parked at the premises of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) yesterday.
An eyewitness told LEADERSHIP that the explosion occurred at about 4pm. The three injured persons were working on the vessel. As at the time the explosion occurred, the deceased was said to be still alive and was rushed to a hospital in Lagos Island where he died from first degree burns.
When contacted, the agency in charge of marine security and administration, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said it was yet to get details of the incident. The agency’s spokesperson, Alhaja Lami Tumaka, told our correspondent that she had heard about the incident, but didn’t have details as she was away in London.
Eye witnesses said the cars parked at UBA car park on Marina Street were hit by metal debris which were thrown indiscriminately into the air as the ship exploded. Three of the cars were said to have been damaged beyond repair.
“We were in the UBA car park when we heard an explosion from a ship across the park. People in the park had to run for their lives. I sustained some injuries on my hand and leg,” an eyewitness,? who identified himself simply as Oluwole,? said.
Some banks in the area evacuated their officials just as boats were also moved away from the scene of the explosion.? Men of the fire service had been deployed to the scene as at the time of filing this report and no further details of the ship were provided.
The vehicles damaged in the incident include three Honda Civics marked NQ 557KJA, LA510AAA, HT 478 EKY and a Hyundai vehicle.?? Describing the incident, a source told our correspondent that, “It was a very loud explosion aboard the ship. From the UBA building where I work, I could see at least a dead body being taken out from the ship and some injured”.