On Monday afternoon, a tanker explosion occurred at the Mira Oxygen and Gas Factory along the Japan Freeway, reportedly injuring at least 16 workers.
Monrovia, September 16, 2025: The blast, which happened around 3:45 PM shortly after lunch, triggered a swift response from both neighbors and Medical Emergency Response Team, who helped transport the injured to nearby medical facilities.
The explosion severely injured several individuals, including Willie Kangba, Nathaniel Wilson, Sylvester Tokpah, Chris Brown, Bill Gaye, Adam (a Syrian national), and Abram (a Lebanese national).
The victims are currently hospitalized, receiving urgent medical care. Out of the 16 reported injuries, 11 are being treated at John F. Kennedy Medical Hospital in Sinkor, while six others have been taken to Ma-Hawa Medical Laboratory in Vai Town.
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The incident also left a female security official, identified only as "Regina," with severe injuries, and Melvin, a worker, reportedly went blind as a result of the explosion.
Adolphus Togbah, the only survivor and witness available for comment, recounted that the explosion happened when Melvin, a Black manager who had been dismissed earlier that day, attempted to connect a pipe to the tanker. The connection failed, causing gas to escape and ignite explosively. Togbah described the chaos, recounting how he narrowly escaped as flames overtook the area, burning Regina at the gate.
According to Togbah, this is the third major explosion at a Mira Oxygen and Gas Factory site. The first occurred in 2019 at a different factory, resulting in multiple injuries. Another explosion happened in 2021, injuring Melvin, who was also hurt in this most recent incident. These repeated accidents have led to ongoing concerns and alerts for immune treatment among factory workers.
The factory employs 36 contractors, all of whom receive monthly wages, sometimes below the minimum wage. At the time of the explosion, all workers except one, Jackson, were present.
Eighteen workers were rushed to hospitals, but the whereabouts of several others remain unknown, fueling anxiety and speculation among their colleagues.
The explosion rattled nearby residents, who demanded immediate access to the blast site amid fears that bodies were missing or unaccounted for. Residents like Korpo Freeman voiced suspicion over the lack of confirmed fatalities, insisting on witnessing the aftermath firsthand due to the magnitude of the incident and the number of workers present.
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Montserrado County District #13 Representative Edward P. Flomo appealed to the security forces, including the Liberia National Police and the Environmental Protection Agency's Inspectorate Division, to maintain the barricade and prevent entry for safety reasons.
EPA Inspector General Baiyezinah Brown emphasized the dangers of the site and announced the launch of an immediate investigation, urging calm and reiterating that the area is unsafe for the public.
The statement by the EPA inspector General heightened suspicion among community members, many of whom fear that the true extent of injuries or possible deaths is being concealed.
As of press time, the New Dawn could not independently verify the total number of casualties at various hospitals, as such information has not been made available, leaving the community and the victims' families in uncertainty as investigations continue.
