A loud explosion has been heard in the Nigerian city of Ibadan and the surrounding area, destroying several buildings in Bodija and causing a number of casualties, witnesses say. The cause of the blast is not yet clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The accident happened just before 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday when what sounded like a large explosion was heard in and near the city. Thousands of residents reported hearing and feeling it on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Witnesses told BNO News that multiple buildings were damaged in the area near Adeyi Avenue, Bodija. Windows were blown out at homes, a hotel and a restaurant and a portion of the ceiling collapsed at the Ace Mall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two witnesses said they saw several people with injuries from broken glass and a third witness said people were injured in a residential area. He said others were possibly still trapped under rubble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Houses are down. Lots of houses are down here and people are under the rubble,” one witness said in a video sent to BNO News. It was recorded in a residential area near Ace Mall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Punch newspaper, at least 10 bodies were recovered from the rubble and taken away in ambulances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Officials are yet to comment on the cause of the explosion and rumors on social media about an incident at a nearby gas station could not be immediately confirmed. Seismologists said no earthquakes were recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Residents are urged to remain calm as security agencies are investigating this to determine the source and cause of the incident,” the Oyo State Government said in a statement. “Relevant agencies are carrying out search and rescue operations.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The explosion was also heard in Apete, Ojoo, UI, Moniya, Awotan, Alaro\/Poly Ibadan, and Jeje, among other areas. Many residents said they felt their house shake and some said their windows were damaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ace mall bodija rn \ud83d\ude29\u2026. Everybody is still confuse atm \ud83d\ude29\u2026. God we rebuke every spirit of death#ibadan<\/a> #wizkid<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NEgHGzaxgB<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Akinwale Obafemi (@Dev_Joak) January 16, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>