Renowned Nigerian special effects artist, James Akaie, has died following injuries sustained in an explosion at a movie location in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The tragic incident occurred during a filming session when an explosion reportedly went off in an effects preparation area outside the main film set.
Confirming the development, popular movie director and producer, James Abinibi, disclosed the incident in a statement shared on the RockBottom Flix Instagram page on Friday.
According to Abinibi, the explosion happened while Akaie was experimenting with an unauthorised pyrotechnic stimulation involving a gas cylinder, alongside two assistants.
“During a filming session, a sudden and unexpected explosion occurred in a designated effects preparation area outside the film set, where James was experimenting with an unauthorised pyrotechnic stimulation involving a gas cylinder alongside his two assistants,” he said.
Abinibi added that Akaie was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
He further revealed that the two assistants sustained burn injuries and were immediately taken to a specialist hospital, where they received prompt medical attention and were later confirmed to be in stable condition as treatment continues.
The death of Akaie has since thrown the Nigerian film industry into mourning, with colleagues and fans paying tributes to his contributions to movie special effects.