The explosion tragedy which occurred on Monday, September 15, 2025 afternoon when an oxygen tank burst at the Cemenco Compound on Somalia Drive, Monrovia, has left one person dead and at least 21 others hospitalized with severe injuries.
The blast occurred at a gas processing facility operated by MARA Gas Inc., owned by a Lebanese national, Wazin Sheriff, which is known for supplying medical-grade oxygen to hospitals across Liberia. Authorities have confirmed that many of the victims suffered third-degree burns and now face the risk of permanent blindness, difficulty breathing, and even loss of mobility.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), which is leading the response and investigation, described the incident as catastrophic and deeply troubling. Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism’s regular press briefing, NDMA Executive Director, Ansu Dulleh , gave a preliminary accounts of the events surrounding the explosion. He said the fire originated from a mobile oxygen tank housed within the facility, which was severely overcrowded at the time.
According to Dulleh, the space was originally designed to host no more than ten people, yet it contained over 40 individuals when the explosion occurred. Emergency teams, including personnel from the Liberia National Fire Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Liberia Immigration Service, and the Liberia National Police, arrived at the scene within minutes of the 2:16 PM explosion. Their quick action led to the rescue of 21 people, many of whom were rushed to nearby hospitals. Nineteen of the injured were taken to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center, while one was admitted to a smaller clinic in Sinkor.
During his press briefing, Dulleh confirmed the death of a Lebanese national affiliated with the company with several critically injured. The NDMA, in collaboration with medical teams, continues to monitor the conditions of the injured, with many of them still in critical condition. Doctors at JFK informed authorities that due to the severity of injuries and the state of trauma, most victims were unable to communicate.
The NDMA has raised serious concerns about the facility's safety protocols and its proximity to densely populated areas. Dulleh questioned how a factory dealing in volatile materials such as oxygen and botany gas could operate under such conditions, labeling it a complete disregard for public safety. Environmental and safety agencies have since sealed off the site and are conducting ongoing investigations.
The NDMA has vowed that a full probe will be carried out to determine the root cause of the explosion and to hold any negligent parties accountable. The Environmental Protection Agency is also expected to provide a full compliance report, especially concerning zoning regulations and industrial safety laws. In remarks, Fire Service Chief, Col. G. Warsuwah Barbour, confirmed that the agency received an emergency call just after 2:00 PM and that firefighters were on the ground within five minutes. Their efforts, he said, prevented further casualties and damage, but he acknowledged the situation was dire. Authorities have since established a joint investigation team to oversee the probe.
The team includes members from the NDMA, EPA, Fire Service, and the Liberia National Police. Officials have emphasized that swift and transparent actions will be taken to ensure such an incident never happens again. The shocking nature of this explosion has reignited concerns over Liberia’s weak enforcement of industrial safety standards, particularly in sectors dealing with hazardous materials.
Many are now calling for a full audit of all similar facilities operating within or near residential zones, as well as a review of existing regulations governing the storage and transport of compressed gases. As investigations continue and the victims fight for their lives, there is growing pressure on authorities to not only respond to this disaster but to use it as a catalyst for stronger oversight of Liberia’s industrial and public safety landscape.
Author: Zac T. Sherman
