At Least Four Dead, 16 Injured After Explosion At Cameroon Steel Plant

Story By: Zainab Ali

At least four people have been killed and 16 others seriously injured following an explosion and fire at a steel manufacturing plant in Douala, Cameroon.

The incident occurred on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the Metafrique Steel facility in the Bassa Industrial Zone, with the explosion reportedly happening between 7:00 and 7:15 in the morning.

According to reports, the blast triggered a fire that spread across parts of the industrial facility, prompting an emergency response from firefighters and other rescue personnel.

The Governor of Cameroon’s Littoral Region, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, confirmed that four bodies had been recovered from the factory, while 16 injured workers were rescued and transported to Douala General Hospital for treatment.

The governor expressed concern about the condition of the injured, indicating that several had suffered severe burns and remained in critical condition.

Following a visit to the affected facility and the hospital, the governor criticised the company’s safety arrangements, alleging that measures prescribed after an earlier fire had not been properly implemented.

He also suggested that the factory’s operations should be suspended while investigations and safety inspections are conducted.

In a statement, Metafrique Steel confirmed that its facility had been affected by the incident, resulting in casualties and material damage. However, the company described the incident as having been caused by an external factor, adding that investigations were needed to establish the exact circumstances.

The latest disaster comes approximately six months after another fire outbreak at the same facility in April 2026, which also left several people injured.

Authorities have announced investigations into the explosion to establish its cause and determine whether any safety regulations were breached.

The incident has renewed concerns about industrial workplace safety in Cameroon, particularly the need for manufacturing companies to comply with safety standards to protect workers.