Status: 04/24/2022 10:07
A massive explosion at an illegal oil refinery in southeastern Nigeria has killed more than 50 people. Many other people were injured. The cause is still unclear.
A massive explosion at an illegal oil refinery in southeastern Nigeria has killed more than 50 people. Officials in Imo State and the police said there were many injuries. Nigerian media even reported up to 100 deaths.
investigations are ongoing
As an Imo state official explained, a fire broke out at the site of the illegally built crude oil refinery on Friday and quickly spread to two gasoline storage facilities. The cause of the fire was initially unclear, investigations were launched, he said. The state administration is now looking for the owner of the refinery where the explosion took place. The man was placed on the wanted list.
Illegal refineries are not uncommon
Illegal refineries are not uncommon in Nigeria, where shady entrepreneurs often circumvent rules and taxes by locating factories in remote areas. In this way, they escape the hands of the authorities.
Nigeria is the continent’s biggest producer of crude oil, but it has few refineries. As a result, most gasoline and other fuels have to be imported.