The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has announced that an explosion on Oil Mining Lease 40 operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC has killed seven workers.

The explosion occurred at the petroleum company’s Benin River Valve Station.

The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, KENNIE OBATERU, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja said the explosion happened at Gbetiokun, OML 40, operated by NPDC.

OBATERU said a detailed investigation of the cause of the explosion had commenced.

He also added that the Department of Petroleum Resources had been duly notified and Form 41 was being prepared for the industry regulator as required in circumstances of this nature.