Africa-Press – Liberia. The Government of Liberia has blamed gross negligence on the part of MIRA Gas Incorporated for a deadly explosion that rocked the company’s oxygen production facility near the Freeport of Monrovia on Monday, leaving one person dead and at least 20 others injured, some critically.
In a statement during the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism’s (MICAT) regular press briefing on Tuesday, September 16, National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) Executive Director Atty. Ansu V.S. Dulleh Sr., confirmed that the tragedy was avoidable and was caused by the company’s failure to adhere to basic safety and operational standards.
“This government will not leave any stone unturned as it relates to unscrupulous business individuals who will deliberately put explosive materials in the midst of our population,” said Dulleh. “Liberians are lying in hospitals today, suffering for their lives, because of negligence.”
According to Atty. Dulleh, 38 workers were present on the premises when the explosion occurred, 21 of whom were directly impacted.
Emergency response teams, including the Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Fire Service, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and NDMA’s safety department, were dispatched to the site within five minutes of the blast.
Among the injured, 20 are currently receiving treatment at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, while one person was admitted to the National Diagnostic Medical Center.
Tragically, a Lebanese national who was among those critically injured has since been confirmed dead at JFK.
Factory Overcrowded, Safety Violated
Investigators say the facility, which primarily supplies medical oxygen to hospitals, was overcrowded and poorly ventilated, with hazardous materials stored in a space that could barely accommodate 10 people, yet was housing up to 40 workers.
“This is a tight factory that should not be operating in the middle of a populated city,” Dulleh stated.
“The company was operating tankers and handling volatile chemicals in an environment completely unfit for such operations.”
The NDMA chief further revealed that a chemical known as “glutamyl” was involved in the blast.
Under ideal conditions, glutamyl can produce water and carbon dioxide when burned with sufficient oxygen.
However, under limited oxygen or improper handling, the substance can generate toxic carbon emissions and greenhouse gases, increasing its volatility.
Survivors in Critical Condition
FrontPageAfrica has learned that several of the injured are in critical condition, with many suffering third-degree burns, respiratory distress, and in some cases, temporary loss of vision.
Others are reportedly unable to walk or even recall their own names due to the trauma.
“This is dehumanizing,” Dulleh said, describing scenes from his visit to the hospital.
“Some of these young Liberians may never fully recover.”
The NDMA, alongside the EPA and Liberia Fire Service, has quarantined the facility, and active monitoring is underway.
The head of MIRA Gas has reportedly been apprehended and is facing questioning in connection with the incident.
Officials indicate that criminal prosecution for negligence is likely.
Environmental and Zoning Violations Under Review
The EPA has launched a parallel investigation to determine how MIRA Gas was permitted to operate a high-risk gas storage and production facility within city limits.
The NDMA has criticized the lack of regulatory enforcement, and pledged a comprehensive safety audit of all similar industrial operations across the country.
“This is why our risk and safety department will intensify inspections,” Dulleh said.
“We cannot allow this to happen again.”
The government’s swift response and attribution of blame to corporate negligence mark a potential shift in how industrial safety is enforced in Liberia, where previous disasters have often gone without accountability.
A Warning Sign Ignored?
MIRA Gas Incorporated has long operated as a major supplier of oxygen to Liberia’s hospitals, but sources suggest the company has previously received warnings over storage and zoning compliance.
It remains unclear whether those warnings were ever enforced or followed. The company did not respond to FrontPage Africa’s inquiries. An official, when contacted multiple times, promised to provide a statement but had not done so at the time of publication.
Analysts and civil society organizations have consistently raised alarms about Liberia’s lax industrial safety regulations, especially in urban areas.
Observers say Monday’s explosion may now serve as a grim wake-up call for reforms that many argue are long overdue.
As the government vows full accountability, victims and their families are left reeling, hoping for justice and answers.
FrontPageAfrica will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
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