One dead as gas explosion hits Obasanjo presidential library

A gas explosion has occurred at the Olusegun Obasanjo presidential library in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.

The explosion, which happened on Thursday morning at the event centre within the library complex, is said to have led to the death of a technician.

Some workers at the facility were said to be on routine maintenance of the air conditioning units at the event centre when one of the cylinders exploded.

Confirming the incident in a statement, Vitalis Ortese, managing director, OOPL ventures, said a second technician sustained injuries.

“The explosion emanated when a pair of technical vendors were conducting routine servicing of the air conditioning units,” the statement reads.

“The explosion, which occurred at about 11:04 am, unfortunately, led to the death of a technical vendor and serious injury of the second vendor.

“The emergency team of the Library immediately took action to prevent further damages and subsequently moved the injured to the hospital. Visitors into the complex were temporarily limited to contain any fallouts from the explosion. This has, however been restored after clearance by the fire services authorities.”

While condoling with the family of the deceased, Ortese said “all visitors to the library, guests at the Green Legacy Resort, the pupils at the CCGK nursery and primary school, clients at the cultural villages, and staff present on the premises at the time of the incident are safe”.

“The management promise to keep to global safety best practices and wish visitors a good and memorable stay at the OOPL,” he added.

The development comes less than 48 hours after a gas explosion rocked the Conference Hotel opposite the library, which claimed two lives.

On May 12, three people, including an infant, were killed while others sustained injuries, following a gas explosion that occurred in another area of the state capital.

Meanwhile, following incidents of gas explosions across the country, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), in October 2020, released new guidelines for the establishment and operations of downstream gas facilities across the country.