The cause of the explosion at Onitsha market, one of West Africa’s largest outdoor markets, is unknown.
According to a witness and an official, at least four people were killed and a dozen others were injured in a blast at a popular market in Nigeria’s southeastern state of Anambra.
Emeka Umeagbalasi, the head of the civil society group Intersociety and a witness to the incident on Tuesday, said the blast occurred in a section of the market that sells chemicals, resulting in a fire that razed shops in the Onitsha market, one of West Africa’s largest outdoor markets.
“[F]our people died and scores (were) injured,” Umeagbalasi said.
Onitsha South local government area Chairman Emeka Orji confirmed the death toll to reporters, adding that at least 12 people were injured as they stampeded to leave the market.
The cause of the blast was not immediately known.
Anambra state police spokesman said the casualty figure was unknown but the situation was under control.
The state emergency management agency said it was investigating.
Anambra is one of the five states in the southeast of the country where violence, which authorities blame on separatist groups, is rising among youths who cite historical marginalisation.