In a message of commiseration to the families of the victims, government and people of the state, the president said an investigation into the incident was necessary to avoid recurrence.
“The investigation should unravel the fact as to whether this was just an accident. Whatever is the case, we need to get to the bottom of this unfortunate and tragic incident,’’ the president said.
The explosion early on 25 July killed no fewer than eight persons, with 112 people injured. The injured are now being treated in four hospitals in Jos.
A chlorine cylinder belonging to the Plateau State government exploded over the weekend at the Lamingo water dam in Jos, leaving eight people dead.
The victims had inhaled the poisonous gas emitted by the explosion. Chlorine is used in treating water for human consumption.
Over a hundred other people who inhaled the gas however escaped death but were rushed to OLA Hospital, Evangel Hospital (Jankwano), Plateau Specialist Hospital and Air Force Hospital for treatment.
The Director of press and public affairs to Governor Simeon Lalong, Samuel Nanle confirmed the incident.
He said some of those taken to the hospital had been discharged, adding that the contamination had been contained and “does not affect the water which has been supplied to public mains; water from the public mains is safe for consumption and is not affected in anyway by the Arial contamination of Chlorine from the exploded cylinder.”
