Fuel depot explodes in Lagos

A major explosion took place at an oil depot on Tin Can Island in the Apapa area of Lagos port at 11.00 on 9 January.

The incident happened as an oil vessel belonging to MRS Oil transferred fuel at one of the Nigerian company's depots, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). A number of subsequent explosions resulted in a serious fire which was brought under control after about an hour.

Four people sustained injuries in the blast but no casualties were confirmed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) which has ordered an investigation into the incident.

Tankers regularly load and unload petroleum products in the Lagos port area.

The explosion came hours after a fire tore through the city's waterfront slum Ebute Metta situated on the Lagos Lagoon near the Third Mainland Bridge. The fire destroyed dozens of homes and sawmills during the night of 8 January. The Associated Press reported that locals attempted in vain to halt the blaze with pails of water, after fire fighters failed to show up.