An explosion at an industrial gas operation in southern Nigeria has left many dead. Reports of casualties vary from scores to over 100. Authorities are investigating the cause of the blast.

CCTV’s Deji Badmus filed this update Friday.

Nigeria’s president says the number of deaths is below 100. Reports are that people had been queuing for hours to refill gas tanks for cooking before Christmas celebrations in the predominantly Christian city of Nnewi in southern Nigeria, when the explosion at a gas tanker occurred.

#BREAKING Nigeria's president says 'tens' die in gas explosion

— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) December 25, 2015

More Than 100 Killed by Gas Truck Fire in Nigeria https://t.co/2ucwquaBKm pic.twitter.com/26euT8zSEM

— CCTV Africa (@cctvnewsafrica) December 25, 2015

CCTV’s Deji Badmus spoke to CCTV America via phone after the blast.

Nigeria gas tanker explosion kills over 100

A gas tanker truck ignited an inferno at a crowded industrial gas plant in Nigeria on Thursday, killing more than 100 people lining up to refill their cooking gas cylinders in time for Christmas.