At least five people lost their lives, and dozens sustained injuries after a gunpowder explosion rocked the bustling Talata Mafara market in Zamfara State on Tuesday.
The explosion, which occurred around 3:45 p.m., sent shockwaves through the market, disrupting business activities and causing widespread panic among traders and shoppers.
According to eyewitnesses, the blast originated from a blacksmiths workshop.
One of the witnesses, Muhammad Aliyu, described the terrifying moment. The explosion happened at the blacksmiths tent in the market. I was very lucky ”I had just left the area when I heard the blast, and then fire broke out”
Authorities have confirmed that five bodies, burned beyond recognition, have been recovered from the scene.
More than 50 others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Talata Mafara General Hospital.
Efforts to get an official response from the Zamfara State Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. However, emergency responders and security personnel have cordoned off the affected area as investigations continue into the cause of the explosion.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of blacksmithing activities in crowded market areas, with calls for stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.