A fire broke out at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, resulting in the tragic loss of two Nigerian workers and severe injuries to others. The incident occurred while workers were servicing generators, leading to an explosion and subsequent fire.
The fire occurred in the morning at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.
The victims were Nigerian maintenance workers who were inside the generator building when the explosion took place.
The explosion was caused by a tank of diesel containing 2,000 liters, which exploded in the generator house.
Two maintenance workers suffered severe burns and are currently receiving treatment.
Two other individuals outside the building were injured by the explosion and are also undergoing medical treatment.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and offered the Canadian government his government’s full support.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stated that officials are working to determine the cause of the incident.
The Canadian High Commission is located in the diplomatic quarter of Abuja.
As of August 2022, there were 12 Canadian diplomats posted in Abuja, along with 32 locally hired staff.