Explosion Strikes Rivers Jetty Yet Again Residents Demand Answers

Multiple explosions have once again devastated the Bonny-Bille-Nembe Jetty in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, resulting in the destruction of goods and properties valued at millions of naira on Monday. This incident follows a tragic event in April 2022, where a pregnant woman, a two-month-old baby, and two others lost their lives in an early morning fire at the same jetty. The previous fire, allegedly caused by individuals attempting to load illegally refined products, resulted in the burning of over 40 boats

Explosion Strikes Rivers Jetty Yet Again Residents Demand Answers

Multiple explosions have once again devastated the Bonny-Bille-Nembe Jetty in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, resulting in the destruction of goods and properties valued at millions of naira on Monday. This incident follows a tragic event in April 2022, where a pregnant woman, a two-month-old baby, and two others lost their lives in an early morning fire at the same jetty. The previous fire, allegedly caused by individuals attempting to load illegally refined products, resulted in the burning of over 40 boats.

The ongoing fire has already consumed more than six market boats, with passengers trapped in the inferno. The Bonny-Bille-Nembe Jetty serves as a crucial transit point for riverine travelers outside Port Harcourt and the state. In a similar incident in November 2021, three children and two others perished when a large wooden passenger boat caught fire at the jetty.

While the cause of the latest fire remains unknown, some eyewitnesses attribute it to the indiscriminate storage and transportation of illegal refined petroleum products in the area. According to Lartey, an eyewitness, the fire began with an explosion as house boats carrying suspected refined oil were involved. The initial explosion triggered two more blasts, affecting makeshift buildings and structures near the jetty.

The incident caused panic among traders and travelers, prompting them to scramble to salvage their belongings. Despite efforts by workers at the jetty and volunteers using detergents and sand mixed with water to control the fire, it continued to rage within the River, making it challenging to access certain areas. The destructive explosions resulted in the destruction of three wooden boats suspected to be holding refined petroleum products, causing further damage to houses, buildings, cars, and other valuables at the scene.