Foreign

Blast Kills Three Police Officers, Injures Many in Italy

By Web News 131

Three police officers have been killed and at least 15 other people injured in an apparently deliberate gas explosion at a farmhouse in northern Italy.

The blast was triggered as police and firefighters went into the house near Verona to carry out an eviction order for two brothers and a sister in their late 50s and mid-60s.

The three victims who died were members of the Carabinieri military police.

A man and a woman were arrested at the scene and another man who fled after the explosion was located soon after. All three have been taken to hospital.

The blast could be heard some 5km (3 miles) away and images from the scene showed the building reduced to a pile of rubble.

The head of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, said the farmhouse was subject to an eviction order due to debts accrued by the three owners.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said “This is a time for grieving,” , who added that attempts had been made to evict the three siblings in the past.

“It was clear we were dealing with people who would resist in some way,” he said.

Mediators had been sent to speak to the siblings who had barricaded themselves into the house. When the Carabinieri arrived shortly after 03:00 (01:00 GMT), officials believe one of the siblings triggered the blast.

“Upon entering the house, we were confronted with an act of absolute madness,” provincial police commander Claudio Papagno told the Ansa news agency.

“A gas cylinder had been ignited, and the explosion directly hit our officers,” he said.

Petrol bombs were also found at the property, the interior minister said.

Those injured by the blast included 11 other members of the Carabinieri and well as three members of Italy’s state police and a firefighter, Ansa reported.

“We all knew the situation was dire,” neighbours told Italian media, adding that the three had previously threatened to “blow themselves up” rather than leave the house.

Piantedosi said the explosion had left a “terrible, very painful and dramatic toll”.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto joined other political leaders in paying tribute to the three men who had lost their lives in the service of their country.

BBC/Adebukola Aluko

Energy

OGHA Asks Govt. to Ensure Compensation of Gas Explosion Victims

By Web News 347

By Omolara Adasofunjo

Ogun State House of Assembly has called on the State and Federal Government to ensure compensation to residents affected by the Compressed Natural Gas explosion. 

House of Assembly Committee on Environment led by the chairman of the Committee, Mr Lawal Samsideen made the call during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the site of the explosion.

The lawmakers sympathized with the victims of the incident and asked the Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning to embark on sensitization for residents who were expected to maintain standard setbacks to avoid a recurrence. 

Mr Lawal, who commended the prompt actions of first responders, emphasized the need for the Government to formulate a policy framework to regulate the movements of vehicles conveying the Compressed Natural Gas product across the State.

Also, Mr Adegoke Adeyanju and  Babatunde Tella assured the people that the House of Assembly was ready to partner with the State Government on enforcement of safety standards and measures.

He emphasized the need for heavy-duty trucks, especially those conveying gas and other flammable products to ensure strict compliance with environmental and road safety regulations to avert road crashes that could result in avoidable loss of lives and property.

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Human Angle

Abiodun Mourns Victims of Gas Explosion

By Web News 429

By Wuraola Bamgbose

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has expressed great sympathy for the victims of a gas explosion at the Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta, the state capital.

Ggovernor Abiodun also ordered that some of the buildings affected by Saturday’s gas explosion at Ita-Oshin in Abeokuta North Local Government area of the state be evacuated.

This is to allow for integrity tests to be carried out on the affected buildings.

Prince Abiodun made this known on Sunday during  on-the-spot assessment of damage done to properties and businesses around  the area.

Abiodun howeved promised that those whose properties were damaged or destroyed would be adequately compensated by his administration, while the state government would also take over the treatment of those in the hospital.

Governor  Abiodun noted that there was the need to now begin to look at the kind of policy frameworks and regulatory oversights that would ensure that such an accident does not happen again in the state.

Governor Abiodun charged the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) to be on top of the fast evolution of the industry, saying that they should as a matter of urgency ensure that the standards of the CNG tanks used by trucks meet the required standards.

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Lifestyle

Osun Govt. Condoles with Bereaved Families of Odeomu Accident

By Web News 516

By Funmi Adekoya

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commiserated with friends and families of residents of the state who were victims of a road accident in Odeomu, in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State.

Governor Adeleke in a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed expressed his shock over the incident, describing it as a sad and unfortunate occurrence.

He prayed that God grants the deceased eternal rest and grant the family fortitude to bear the loss adding that it is a loss not only for their families but for Osun state as a whole.

The incident occurred on Friday when a vehicle containing gas exploded, leading to a fire outbreak.

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Energy

Gov. Abiodun Warns Against Sale of Adulterated Gas

By Web News 706

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has said that anyone found guilty of selling adulterated gas products or violating safety protocols in the state would face the full wrath of the law. 

Governor Abiodun gave the warning while reacting to incessant gas explosions in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

The Governor explained that he had directed law enforcement agencies, environmental and safety personnel to move round all the nooks and crannies of the state to investigate and bring to book those found culpable of any sharp practice or negligence that could cause gas explosions.

Governor Abiodun said his administration was working with Federal authorities and relevant agencies towards finding lasting solution to the recent incidents, adding that no stone would be left unturned to curb recurrence.

While commiserating  with the families of the victims of the recent gas explosions, the Governor warned business owners against violating safety protocols guiding the location of their businesses in residential areas. 

Bolanle Adesida

Environment

Gas Explosion Victims in Agbor Call for Emergency Medical Facility

By Web News 731

Victims of a recent gas plant explosion in Agbor, in Ika South area of Delta State, have expressed their sadness at the loss from the incident and called on the government to make provisions for emergency medical facility in the locality.

They made the request when officials of the State Ministry of Environment visited the scene of the explosion to ascertain the impact of the devastation and to console families of the victims.

Oghenero Eghweree reports that over a dozen people have died from the incident including five persons from one family.

 Mr. Osadume Monday, whose house is a distance of 500 meters from the gas plant which exploded about a week ago, expressed sadness over the loss of his wife, daughter in-law and three grandchildren.

Mr. and Mrs. Mercy and Moses Erodola, who lost two children from the gas explosion narrated their ordeal and appealed for establishment of emergency medical facility in the area.

Other residents also reacted to the damage from the gas explosion.

Delta State Commissioner for Environment Chris Onogba, who led a delegation to the scene commiserated with the victims, noting the development was a setback the government and people of the state.

The commissioner also called for a review in the issuance of license permits to operators of gas plants, saying the ministry has embarked on minoring with a view to shutdown erring operators.

The delegation from the Ministry of Environment also visited and inspected safety measures by liquefied petroleum gas retailers across the state and issued quit notice to some defaulting stations.

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Oghenero Eghweree