U-3ARC U-3ARC Union of Associations of African Actors in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
U-3ARC Union of Associations of African Actors in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANTS - Yet Another Fatal Explosion in Niger

In city of Tahoua, center town of the region of the same name, commonly known as Ader, approximately 500 km northeast of Niamey, a serious accident following the explosion of a flammable refrigerant left four people seriously injured on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

The series of serious explosions involving flammable refrigerants continues across the African continent. Due to lack of preparation of technicians handling these gases, which are certainly environmentally friendly but flammable, accidents are on the rise! The latest incident was just reported to us by Mr. Ibrahim Ali Barga, President of the APFN (Association of Refrigeration Professionals of Niger). He revealed, four (04) refrigeration technicians from their corporation, including Mr. Jonas, Vice-President of the APFN (National Association of Refrigeration Technicians) of the Tahoua region, were seriously burned on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in the town of Tahoua, on the Niamey-Agadez axis. The victims, who suffered severe burns, were blown away by a butane gas explosion, used to blow out an evaporator in a car air conditioner.

FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANTS - Yet Another Fatal Explosion in Niger

High time to train and raise awareness

While there was more fear than harm, with the accident victims having survived this time, what about the next in this series of massacres if nothing is done?! Once the information was shared among African professionals in the RAC sector, reactions were swift, calling for greater caution and precaution!

Madi Sakandé, President of U-3ARC, continues to advocate for more training and awareness-raising before using these new refrigerants. The same sentiment is echoed by the President of the APFN, who believes that such preliminary training can mitigate accidents and save the lives of refrigeration technicians and users.

The Tahoua accident in Niger left a team of refrigeration technicians recovering, but could have been even more serious. To put an end to what is seen as an ordeal or a ticking time bomb in African countries, given that the European and American countries, where these refrigerants are produced, strictly regulate their use, it is necessary to equip and train professionals, without neglecting to raise awareness among users.