Ten students of Good Shepherd Catholic Catering School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, have been hospitalised at the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital following a gas explosion that occurred at the kitchen section of the all-female school.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, affected students who were in the kitchen section for their activities.
A father of one of the victims, Comrade Emmanuel Nwizi, said that the explosion was allegedly caused by an android phone which one of the students entered into the kitchen with.
Comrade Nwizi, who is a staff of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Abakaliki, said five of the victims were on a life-supporting machine at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the tertiary hospital while their parents were collaborating with the leadership of Catholic School to ensure that the best care was given to them.
Mr. Nwizzi said that his daughter, Miss Chisom Nwizi, suffered severe burns, adding that she gained admission into the school just last month.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident but did not give further details.
Sources close to the school said that the Catholic Reverend Sisters in charge of the school were still battling to ensure that the lives of the students were saved.
