Last Saturday, a petrol tanker explosion at Ugwu Onyeama in Enugu State killed eleven family members, including Iba Pope, Onitsha, the president of the Altar Boys Association of SS John and Paul Parish.
One of the victims of the unfortunate event was Brother Jeremiah Nwaji, a leader of the Altar Boys Association and a devoted Catholic.
Along with his wife, he had six children, a younger brother, a maid, and an apprentice, all of whom perished in the fire.
The family was traveling to Ebonyi State in order to attend their father’s funeral, which was set for January 31.
Originally intended to be a somber and dignified remembrance of their deceased father, the trip devolved into an unfathomable tragedy.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the petrol tanker exploding into a massive fireball that engulfed several vehicles, including the one carrying the Nwaji family.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with friends, family, and parishioners mourning the loss of a devoted family and a respected leader.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by petrol tanker explosions and the need for increased safety measures to prevent such tragedies.
An investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing.
