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| Nigeria gas plant explosion 'kills dozens' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Scores of people are reported killed in an explosion at an industrial gas plant in south-eastern Nigeria. | Scores of people are reported killed in an explosion at an industrial gas plant in south-eastern Nigeria. |
| A truck is said to have exploded as it was off-loading butane cooking gas in the town of Nnewi in Anambra State. | A truck is said to have exploded as it was off-loading butane cooking gas in the town of Nnewi in Anambra State. |
| Reports of fatalities vary from 35 to more than 100 people killed, including factory workers and neighbours. | |
| Local police have confirmed the incident but have yet to provide further details. A huge fire reportedly followed the blast. | Local police have confirmed the incident but have yet to provide further details. A huge fire reportedly followed the blast. |
| The dead and injured were taken to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi which has a predominantly Christian community. | The dead and injured were taken to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Nnewi which has a predominantly Christian community. |
| Witness Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu, who has been to the scene of the blast, told the BBC that people had gone to the plant to fill up gas bottles ready to cook meals on Christmas day. | Witness Chukwuemerie Uduchukwu, who has been to the scene of the blast, told the BBC that people had gone to the plant to fill up gas bottles ready to cook meals on Christmas day. |
| He said customers and workers in the building had been burned beyond recognition and that he had seen a dozen bodies brought out, with many more thought to be inside. | He said customers and workers in the building had been burned beyond recognition and that he had seen a dozen bodies brought out, with many more thought to be inside. |
| Such was the ferocity of the blast that houses nearby were also damaged. | Such was the ferocity of the blast that houses nearby were also damaged. |
| "Five hours after the explosion and the depot was still burning," Mr Uduchukwu said, "with the Red Cross and the fire services still at the scene." | "Five hours after the explosion and the depot was still burning," Mr Uduchukwu said, "with the Red Cross and the fire services still at the scene." |
| A reporter for Associated Press counted the remains of 100 bodies. | A reporter for Associated Press counted the remains of 100 bodies. |
| Another witness told the Vanguard newspaper that the blast was triggered when a truck began discharging cooking gas without waiting for the mandatory cooling time. | Another witness told the Vanguard newspaper that the blast was triggered when a truck began discharging cooking gas without waiting for the mandatory cooling time. |
| Passersby were also caught up in the explosion, the newspaper reported. | Passersby were also caught up in the explosion, the newspaper reported. |
| Witnesses described a huge fire with acrid black smoke hovering over the scene of the disaster. | Witnesses described a huge fire with acrid black smoke hovering over the scene of the disaster. |
| Are you in the area? Have you been affected by what has happened? If it is safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by what has happened? If it is safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |