MONROVIA, LIBERIA – A devastating explosion at the Sethi Ferro Fabrik steel manufacturing facility in Gardnersville has left two workers dead and many others severely injured. The blast, which occurred on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, when oxygen cylinders exploded, sent shockwaves through the surrounding area, affecting both the community and the factory itself. This tragic incident has intensified concerns about the safety measures or lack thereof at the plant, which is located in the Monrovia Industrial Park.
The force of the explosion was so powerful that it rattled nearby buildings, prompting widespread panic among factory workers and local residents. Emergency teams responded promptly, transporting the injured to local hospitals for medical treatment. Several of the victims are reported to be in critical condition, with some of them suffering from life-threatening injuries.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) has issued a press statement on the explosion at the site. In the EPA statement on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, it said the explosion at Sethi Ferro Fabrik Steel Factory is under investigation. The EPA informed the general public that it is actively investigating the tragic explosion, which occurred at approximately 6:38 PM on February 17, 2025, at the Oxygen Plant of Sethi Ferro Fabrik, located in the Monrovia Industrial Park, Old LPRC Road, Gardnersville. Following reports of the incident, the EPA promptly dispatched a high-level delegation to conduct a preliminary assessment of the accident. Initial findings indicate that the explosion originated from an oxygen cylinder that was being refilled. A worker, identified as Saah J. Samukai, was near the affected cylinder at the time of the explosion and was found lying motionless on top of the cylinders. Tragically, he lost his life due to the incident.
The EPA has extended its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased during this difficult time. The extent of damage to the oxygen plant and surrounding equipment is currently under review, and a full-scale investigation is underway to determine the cause(s), including if there was negligence on the part of the company, of the explosion. The EPA remains committed to ensuring public safety and regulatory compliance in all industrial operations. The Agency has assured the public that a comprehensive report will be released once the full investigation is completed. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available, the press release concluded.
The incident has generated outrage among local residents and labor rights advocates, who have long raised alarms about unsafe working conditions at the facility. Anonymous workers at Sethi Ferro Fabrik have claimed that the company has consistently disregarded safety concerns, with faulty equipment and hazardous practices becoming commonplace in the pursuit of maximizing production. These employees suggest that management has prioritized output over the well-being of its workforce, resulting in an environment ripe for such a catastrophic event.
Adding fuel to the fire, there are allegations that Sethi Ferro Fabrik is attempting to suppress details about the explosion. Sources indicate that the company has warned employees not to speak to the media, while also downplaying the severity of the incident in an apparent effort to avoid scrutiny from regulatory authorities. These claims have sparked widespread public outrage and led to calls for an independent investigation into the cause of the blast.
This tragic event marks the second major explosion at Sethi Ferro Fabrik in just a few years. In August 2021, a similar explosion at the plant killed one expatriate worker and injured several others. Despite assurances from the company that safety measures had been improved following that incident, this most recent tragedy raises serious questions about the effectiveness of those changes and whether proper safety protocols are being adhered to at the facility.
The explosion has also reignited concerns from nearby residents who have long criticized the factory’s environmental impact. Complaints about constant exposure to toxic fumes, excessive noise, and the ever-present risk of another disaster have plagued the community for years. One local resident, speaking out of frustration, remarked, “This factory has been operating without proper oversight for far too long. How many more lives must be lost before something is done about it?”
Government agencies, including the Ministry of Labor and the Environmental Protection Agency, now find themselves under immense pressure to act. Critics argue that regulatory bodies have failed to hold Sethi Ferro Fabrik accountable for its persistent safety violations, allowing the company to operate with minimal oversight.
Sethi Ferro Fabrik, which is Liberia’s only operational steel manufacturing plant, has long been viewed as a symbol of the country’s industrial progress. However, the continuing accidents at the facility have tarnished its reputation. The company employs over 500 workers, both Liberians and expatriates, and was originally hailed as a significant step toward the country’s industrialization under former President George Weah’s administration.
