At least 100 people including many children have died in an oil pipeline explosion in the Ijegun suburb of Lagos, local Red Cross sources report.

The blast occurred on 15 May after a bulldozer allegedly mistakenly ruptured the pipeline during a road-building project in the area. The explosion tore through the surrounding area, destroying houses and schools and sending people running for safety. Dozens of injured have been taken to hospital and many people are reportedly still missing.

Oil pipeline explosions are a regular occurrence in Nigeria usually as a result of vandalism for fuel theft. In 2006 around 400 people were killed in two separate incidents in Lagos and the following year 40 people lost their lives, also in the commercial capital. However it seems that the latest explosion was just a tragic accident.

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Wanted in Africa, part of the Wanted Worldwide network, is a website in English for expatriates in Africa established in 2006. We cover Europe's news stories that may be of interest to English speaking residents along with tourists as well. Our publication also offers classifieds, photos, information on events, museums, churches, galleries, exhibits, fashion, food, and local travel.
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