Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

2006 Atlas Creek pipeline explosion

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Date
  
12 May 2006

Location
  
Lagos, Nigeria

Number of deaths
  
150

The 2006 Atlas Creek pipeline explosion was a disaster that occurred on 12 May 2006 at Atlas Creek Island (sometimes called Isanki Island), near Lagos, Nigeria, when a pressurised petrol pipeline that had been ruptured by thieves exploded, killing 150 people. The Nigerian Red Cross said that vandals had originally drilled holes into the pipe to steal fuel, and that local people had then come down with jerrycans to fill them with fuel. Approximately five hundred jerrycans were found at the scene of the explosion, which incinerated anyone within a 20-metre radius. Many victims were buried nearby in a mass grave.

Investigation

The president, Olusegun Obasanjo, ordered a full police investigation.

References

2006 Atlas Creek pipeline explosion Wikipedia