Popular Nigerian special effects artist James Akaie has died after sustaining severe injuries in an explosion that occurred on a movie set in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The tragic incident reportedly happened during a filming session when an explosion occurred at an effects preparation area located outside the main film set.
The death was confirmed on Friday by renowned movie director and producer James Abinibi, who announced the development in an official statement shared on the Instagram page of RockBottom Flix.
According to Abinibi, the explosion occurred while Akaie was experimenting with an unauthorised pyrotechnic setup 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,” the statement read.
Akaie was immediately rushed to the hospital following the incident but later succumbed to his injuries.
Abinibi further disclosed that the two assistants involved in the explosion sustained burn injuries and were promptly transferred to a specialist hospital for treatment.
“They received prompt medical attention and have been confirmed stable as they continue to receive treatment,” he added.
The death of James Akaie has sent shockwaves through the Nollywood film industry, with colleagues and fans mourning the loss of a skilled special effects expert whose work contributed to several movie productions.
The incident has also reignited conversations around on-set safety standards, particularly the use of pyrotechnics and special effects during film productions in Nigeria.
