Govt. Investigate Mara Gas Deadly Explosion -One Dead, 20 Hospitalized, NDMA discloses

By: Anthony Q. Jiffan, Jr.

MONROVIA – A devastating explosion ripped through the premises of Mara Gas Incorporated on Monday, September 15, 2025, killing one person and leaving at least 20 others severely injured, as confirmed by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) during a Ministry of Information regular press briefing on Tuesday.

The tragic incident has raised critical questions about industrial safety, government oversight, and the impact of hazardous business practices in heavily populated communities.

Atty. Ansu V. S. Dulleh Sr, Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency quotes the Liberia National Fire Service and eyewitness accounts, that the explosion occurred midday at the Mara Gas facility, a gas storage and distribution center located in a densely populated area of Monrovia. The company, operated by Lebanese businessman Wazin Sharifi, specializes in the supply of medical-grade oxygen and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), also known locally as “botany gas.”

According to him, a total of 38 workers were present on the compound when the explosion occurred. 21 individuals were immediately affected by the blast, including both Liberian and foreign nationals.

The NDMA confirmed the death of Abraham Alaoui, a Lebanese national, who succumbed to his injuries at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center. The remaining victims, 20 men and one woman, are receiving emergency treatment at JFK Hospital and Medical Diagnostic Clinic. Officials report that several are in critical condition.

“We were just informed that one of the victims at JFK has passed. This is no longer just an industrial accident. This is a national tragedy,” said an NDMA spokesperson.

He noted, in the wake of the explosion, the NDMA, Liberia Immigration Service, Liberia National Police, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Liberia Fire Service were immediately dispatched to the site. The area has been quarantined as investigators examine the cause of the explosion and assess environmental damage.

ED Dulleh indicated that an initial investigation, led by EPA revealed dangerous storage practices involving gas tanks used for mobile distribution, while warning that the gas systems, under insufficient oxygen supply, can emit toxic carbon monoxide and greenhouse gases, further endangering the local ecosystem.

“This was not just negligence; it’s a criminal disregard for human life,” one senior official remarked, hinting at the potential prosecution of those responsible.

The NDMA Boss added that Mara Gas Inc., once considered a critical supplier of oxygen to Liberia’s healthcare system, now faces intense public scrutiny. The company is accused of operating with unsafe storage practices and failing to meet regulatory safety standards.

He further that while no arrests have been made, the government has called for CEO  Wassim Sharifi and other company executives to be brought in for questioning. “We are not saying apprehended yet but we are demanding answers, and if criminal negligence is established, prosecution must follow,” said the NDMA executive director.

In a related development, the NDMA has disclosed that Liberia is facing another emergency widespread flooding across multiple counties, including Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, and Bomi. Communities like New Kru Town, and Gaza Community among others have been severely impacted, with families displaced and basic infrastructure compromised.

The NDMA is working around the clock to collect data, deliver relief supplies, and relocate affected families. The situation is particularly critical in Robertsport, where continued heavy rainfall has caused rivers and drainage systems to overflow.

Facing a dual crisis, he said the Liberian government has issued an SOS appeal to international partners, seeking aid in both disaster relief and medical support for victims of the explosion.

“Our people are suffering, and our resources are stretched. But we will not abandon them. The government will stand with every Liberian affected by this disaster,” the NDMA emphasized. “Efforts are now underway to identify victims’ families, provide temporary shelter, and begin the long road toward accountability and recovery”.