2022 Imo-Rivers explosion

The Imo-Rivers explosion occurred at the site of an illegal oil refinery in Southern Nigeria on 22 April 2022. It happened late at night on the border between Imo State and Rivers State. Eyewitnesses described a loud noise followed by a huge fire that could be seen burning above the Abaezi forest. The initial death toll was thought to be around 60 people but as the days passed, more bodies were found, with the final estimate suggesting that 110 people died with over 100 more seriously injured. The casualties were predominantly young people who were probably working at the illegal refinery, with many suffering serious burns due to the resultant fire. The explosion and fire caused significant environmental damage.