BY LEVI JOHNSON
The gas explosion which occurred on Tuesday at Gbetiokun, OML 40 in Edo State has killed seven and left several others injured, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said.
It was gathered that the explosion happened during the installation of a ladder on a platform (Benin River Valve Station) for access during discharging of Gbetiokun production.
The error, however, led to the death of seven persons as stated in a release by NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr Kennie Obateru.
Dr Kennie Obateru said the detailed investigation of the cause of the explosion has commenced.
He added that the Department of Petroleum Resources has been duly notified and Form 41 was being prepared for the Industry regulator as required in circumstances of this nature.
The release stated that all personnel onboard the platform had been fully accounted for.
NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, in the statement commiserated with the families of the bereaved, praying that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of their loved ones
