The facts

  1. The explosion and fire occurred at Metafrique Steel's facilities in the Bassa industrial zone of Douala on the morning of 2 November. [1][2][3]

  2. Governor Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua told Reuters that at least four people were killed and 16 were severely burned. He said the fire had been extinguished and an army rescue unit recovered four bodies. [1]

  3. Metafrique Steel said its facilities were affected by an incident caused by an external factor, while its cause remained undetermined; the company did not provide a casualty count in the statement quoted by Reuters and local reports. [1][2][3]

  4. Journal du Cameroun reported that authorities announced an inquiry and precautionary measures that could include suspending operations. KOACI said the governor ordered an immediate halt, while Reuters described suspension as a possibility; the plant's current operating status is unresolved in the reports reviewed. [1][2][3]

  5. The governor condemned the company's compliance with safety measures imposed after a previous fire in May and announced an inquiry into the latest incident, according to local reporting. [2][3][4]

Still unconfirmed

  • The cause of the explosion and fire and the meaning of the company's description of an external factor remain undetermined.
  • Whether operations stopped immediately and the plant's current operating status are unclear because local accounts differ.
  • Whether any of the 16 severely burned workers have since died or the casualty figures have changed is unknown.

Sources

References support the numbered facts above. Source checks: 3 Nov 2026, 09:32 UTC.

Reuters, KOACI, Journal du Cameroun and Africanews report the explosion and casualty core. The cited company statement gives no established cause. KOACI says the governor ordered an immediate cessation, while Reuters, Journal du Cameroun and Africanews describe possible suspension or precautionary measures; no formal closure or current plant status is asserted.

  1. Explosion kills four at Cameroon iron smelting plant

    Reuters, via MarketScreener · Reporting · 2 Nov 2026

    Opened the full Reuters report. The casualty figures and fire status are attributed to Governor Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua; the company said its facilities were affected and the cause remained undetermined.

  2. Cameroun : Quatre morts et 16 brûlés graves dans l'incendie d'une usine à Douala, le gouverneur ordonne l'arrêt de l'usine

    KOACI · Reporting · 2 Nov 2026

    Opened local reporting. It quotes the company's statement, says the hospital confirmed treatment of the 16 burned workers, and reports a previous fire and an immediate stop order from the governor.

  3. Douala-Cameroun : des morts et des brulés à la suite d’une explosion à l’usine de Métafrique Steel

    Journal du Cameroun · Reporting · 2 Nov 2026

    Opened Cameroon-based reporting updated 3 November. It confirms the four-death and 16-injury event, describes an inquiry and possible suspension rather than a confirmed closure, and reports the earlier May fire and company-stated injuries.

  4. At least 4 dead and 16 injured following explosion at Cameroon steel plant

    Africanews · Reporting · 2 Nov 2026

    Opened the report by Cameroon-based journalists. It independently corroborates the casualty event, the inquiry, the governor's criticism of safety compliance after a May fire and the possibility of suspension.

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