At least 25 ‘severely injured’ as explosion rocks market in Zamfara

At least 25 people have been left severely injured following a fire outbreak at the Talata Mafara central market in Zamfara state on Tuesday.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reports that the incident occurred around 2:30pm.

The publication said traders and shoppers heard a gunshot, followed by an explosion that triggered the blaze.

“We heard a loud bang, and then fire spread rapidly across the market. People ran in different directions, but many were caught in the flames,” a trader said.

The Zamfara police command confirmed the incident and said more than 25 persons sustained burns and were evacuated to the General Hospital Talata Mafara for treatment.

The police said a dane gun was recovered at the scene, but no arrests have been made, as the perpetrator may have been among the casualties.

“Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion and apprehend the suspects behind the incident,” the police added.

This is the second fire incident in the state in recent times.

At least 17 students were confirmed dead on February 5 following a fire outbreak at an Almajiri school in Kaura-Namoda LGA of Zamfara state.

Seventeen more students were also left badly injured from the inferno.