Tragedy struck at Abaezi community in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, on Friday night as an illegal refinery went up in flames killing not fewer than 100 people in the process.
About six vehicles were also razed during the incident which threw the community into mourning.
The incident happened at a location between Abacheke and Abaezi communities.
Videos and pictures of the incident were already awash on the internet.
It was gathered that some of the victims were caught by the fire while they were running and trying to escape.
Unidentified burnt bodies littered the area even as family members were seen moving away the remains of their loved ones.
Scores of people visited the scene of the incident on Saturday to have a glimpse of the unfortunate development.
Not fewer than 50 bodies burnt beyond recognition was counted at the scene of the fire explosion which was said to have happened at about 8pm.
State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Goodluck Opiah, said the state government had declared the owner of the illegal refinery, Okenze Onyenwoke, wanted.
Opiah advised the suspect whom he said was on the run to surrender himself at the nearest police station.
“This is a sad development. The Imo State Government has declared wanted Okenze Onyenwoke, who owns this illegal refinery. I advise him to hand himself over to the police or any security agency.
“This is wickedness; this is an economic sabotage. It is also destroying our youths. I therefore call on the youths to go away from this kind of illegitimate business. There are so many legitimate businesses one could do to make genuine money.”
An Indigene of the community, who identified himself as Ejike, said every person at the illegal refinery site was killed in the explosion, adding that over 100 people lost their lives in the incident.
Ejike said further that those who survived the explosion and were rushed to the hospital died on Saturday morning.
“No single person survived. Those who were rescued yesterday have all died this morning. The casualty figure is over 100. This is sad. People are rushing to look for their relations but the unfortunate thing is that the victims were burnt beyond recognition,” Ekije said.
