FOUR persons were killed on Thursday after a gas explosion occurred around Eliozu axis of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The incident, which occurred at a panel beater’s workshop, shattered various objects in and around the workshop.

Shattered pieces of tools such as helmets, containers and welding machines littered the scene.

Our correspondent, who was at the scene of the incident, gathered that one of the gas cylinders used by the panel beaters exploded at about 5pm, killing four persons.

The explosion severed the legs of two of the victims, who died instantly while another victim died inside the vehicle taking him to the hospital.

It was learnt that the fourth victim died at a nearby hospital after the medical personnel on the ground insisted that the sum of N35,000 must be deposited before they could commence treatment.

At the scene of the incident, a group of sympathisers and passersby was still gathered discussing what happened.

An eyewitness said, “One of the panel beaters was working and maybe there was a leakage in one of the cylinders and it exploded. We saw two persons without legs. Their legs were blown off by the impact of the explosion.

“One person died in the hospital because the people at the hospital said N35,000 must be deposited before they can begin treatment. The other person who was also badly injured died as they were rushing him to the hospital.”

The state Police Public Relations Officers, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, confirmed the incident, but added that he could not confirm the number of casualties.