Search For More Blast Victims Continues In Nigeria
VOA News
29 Jan 2002 03:01 UTC
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Authorities in Nigeria's largest city, Lagos, say they expect more victims to be found Tuesday after Sunday's huge explosions at a military ammunition depot.

The officials say more than 500 hundred bodies -- most children -- have already been pulled from the canals of Lagos. Most of the victims apparently drowned after jumping into the water to escape the blasts. Witnesses say more bodies of victims were also found in the streets.

No official death toll has been announced. The explosions began late Sunday when a fire spread to a poorly-maintained army ammunition depot in the Ikeja district. Explosions boomed across Lagos for hours, shattering windows and sending fireballs, debris and plumes of smoke into the sky. Thousands of people have been left homeless and many residents are still reported missing.

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo toured the scene Monday and promised a full investigation. He also vowed to help those who lost their homes.

The commander of the Ikeja brigade, Brigadier-General George Emdin, has apologized for the explosions and the panic they created.

<b>View of Explosions in Lagos</B><br>Source: Nigerian TV
View of Explosions in Lagos
Source: Nigerian TV
Lagos -- with 12 million residents -- is the commercial capital of Nigeria, Africa's most populous country.

Some information for this report provided by AFP.

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