A midnight explosion of an overhead water tank containing thousands of litres of water has left several residents injured in Malam Madori Local Government Area of Jigawa State, causing panic and damage in the community.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, took place near the railway line at Shirinya Quarters, according to a statement issued by Musa Muhammad, the Information Officer for Malam Madori and Kaugama Local Government Areas.
Muhammad confirmed that the powerful blast from the ruptured tank caused serious injuries to several families residing close to the water station. Fortunately, no deaths have been recorded as of the time of this report.
“The victims are currently receiving treatment at the Malam Madori General Hospital, and the council authorities have since been notified,” the statement added.
The overhead water tank, which has served as a vital water source for Shirinya Quarters and neighbouring communities for years, reportedly had long been due for repairs.
A community member, who preferred anonymity, disclosed that residents had earlier formed a maintenance committee to collect funds for the upkeep of the facility but noted that the structure had deteriorated over time.
“We’ve been contributing money to maintain the tank, but it has been in bad shape for a long while. This unfortunate incident could have been avoided,” he lamented.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of Malam Madori Local Government Area, Salisu Sani Garungabas, expressed sympathy for the affected families and pledged swift action to restore the water facility.
Garungabas assured residents that the local council would take urgent steps to ensure the rehabilitation and safety of the water infrastructure, while also providing support to the injured victims.
The Chairman added that a technical team would be deployed to assess the damage and prevent future occurrences, emphasizing the government’s commitment to community welfare and public safety.
what a pity