Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has expressed deep sadness after the explosion of a gas tanker in Lagos, leaving   over 50 persons injured and razing several buildings and vehicles.

The minister sympathised with the injured and those who lost their homes to the fire during the incident which happened on Thursday at Cele Bus Stop, Iju-Ishaga, Lagos State.

“I am deeply saddened by this tragic incident especially as this is coming just six months after the explosion in Abule Ado in March.

“The Federal Government sympathises with the affected families and persons and has directed the immediate dispatch of rescue operations by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) with combined assistance from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA to evacuate the injured to hospitals and provide immediate relief for displaced persons.

“Our prayers are with the government and the good people of Lagos state at this time of grief,” Farouq stated.

Mr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Director-General of LASEMA, has confirmed the incident, stating that victims trapped in the explosion have been removed, while the injured have been taken to the hospital for immediate attention as rescue workers fought to put out the fire.

The Muslak Gas Plant and an events centre are some of the buildings affected by the explosion