No fewer than 201 residents of Kano’s Sharada Quarters were hospitalized on Friday after inhaling chemicals from a cylinder dismantled by metal scrappers.
The victims were taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Sharada Industrial Hospital, and Ja’en Hospital for emergency treatment.
Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi, Kano Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the incident to NAN in Kano.
“The cylinder chemical explosion occurred on Friday at about 4:00 p.m., at Sharada Industrial Area.
“The victims were suffocated and unconscious,” he said.
A witness, Sani Muhammad, said the victims collapsed and became unconscious after inhaling toxic substance from the cylinder dismantled by some metal scrappers.
He said the chemicals contained in the cylinder escaped into the air and made those who inhaled it to become unconscious.
The Chief Medical Director of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Dr Hussaini Muhammad, said they received over 70 victims out of which, 65 were now in stable condition.
“Thirty-five victims received treatment at Sharada Industrial Hospital and 96 at Ja’en Hospital,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Faruk, has sent a representative to visit the victims at the hospital.
She was represented by the Humanitarian Affairs Permanent Secretary, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo.
The minister commended the hospitals managements, NEMA, SEMA and the Nigerian Red Cross, for their support to the victims during the incident.
She assured that the ministry would support the victims.
NEMA, Nigerian Red Cross, Kano State Emergency Management Agency were part of the rescue team.