The number of those who died from the explosion which occurred in the Bodija area of Ibadan on Tuesday evening has increased to five, an official disclosed on Thursday.

Prof. Temitope Alonge, who heads the emergency operations centre for the evacuation and rescue of the explosion’s victims, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Ibadan.

Mr Alonge said two corpses were recovered from the rumbles between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

He said this was in addition to the three recovered between Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Alonge, however, assured that rescue operations were still on as directed by Seyi Makinde, the governor of the state, to ensure that everyone was accounted for.

“The state government will continue to monitor and respond to the situation, as investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing,” he said.

Mr Makinde had, on Tuesday and later on Wednesday, urged residents of Oyo State to remain calm over the incident.

He has implored residents staying in any of the houses within 250 metres from the scene of the explosion to move out to accommodation provided by the government.

”This is until we check the structural integrity of the buildings,” the governor had said.

He equally warned hoodlums who may want to take advantage of the incident to carry out any form of looting to desist.

Mr Makinde stated further that all those involved directly or indirectly in bringing the tragedy upon the state would be brought to book.

(NAN)