File photo: CGTN

ABUJA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two people were confirmed killed and 23 others severely burned following a gas explosion in Nigeria's southwestern state of Lagos on Thursday.

A top rescue official who confirmed the incident at the high-density Ajegunle area close to the Lagos Island said a gas cylinder exploded earlier in the day as a result of gas leakage.

Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, head of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, said victims had multiple burns and were rushed to a government hospital in the mainland area of Lagos. 

The rescue official said the entire area has been cordoned off and a post-disaster investigation was ongoing.