C’River gas explosion victims rise to 60 as commissioner assesses burn injuries

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The number of victims affected by the gas explosion that occurred in Calabar, Cross River State, on Saturday has risen to 60.

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The Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, made the disclosure during a visit to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where the victims are receiving treatment on Sunday.

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It will be recalled that the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, on Saturday, had reported the number of victims as 30 when he visited the scene of the incident.

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The governor said the government would take care of the hospital bills of the victims.

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Ayuk said his visit to the hospital was to assess the situation of the victims receiving medical attention.

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“We arrived at the Accident and Emergency Department of UCTH, where about 60 victims of the gas explosion that occurred along Edibe Edibe, Calabar South, are receiving treatment,” he said.

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He added that victims with minor burn injuries would be transferred to the General Hospital, Calabar, to ease pressure on the teaching hospital and ensure efficient care for all victims.

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The commissioner was accompanied on the visit by the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Mr. Ekpeyong Akiba.

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They were received by the Chief Medical Director of UCTH, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, who provided updates on the condition and management of the victims.

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The visit formed part of the state government’s coordinated response to the explosion, with health authorities working to ensure prompt and adequate treatment for all affected persons.

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It will be recalled that a gas leakage at a gas plant led to an explosion that affected several other houses in the Edibe Edibe area of Calabar South, injuring many.

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(NAN)

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