Strong reactions have trailed the two days ago tanker explosion in Onisha as more dead bodies were recovered at the Ochanja market area of the place.
The Herald on Wednesday, October 16, reported that the incident claimed the lives of six people, while 14 others sustained injuries in a multiple road crash at Upper Iweka Road, along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
One of the victims, Chukwuka Okeke, a neighbour to the woman who died with her baby in the fire incident, described the tragedy as unfortunate but avoidable.
Okeke said it was not up to twenty minutes he chatted with the woman before she was consumed in the inferno. In an emotion-laden voice,
According to him, “We were in our shops when I got the call that there was a fire incident at Iweka, Onitsha. Though we saw smoke going up from a distance, nobody could believe it would extend to this place.
“For over three hours, we were perceiving the smell of fuel mixed with gas from the tanker as it flowed through the drainage until the whole thing went up in flames. The woman had already rushed out of the shop with her baby when she suddenly went back.
“But she slipped and fell inside the gutter, which was already in flames.” Okeke said the woman whose husband also owns a shop in the city, had the baby early this year after 16 years of marriage. She got married in 2003 but had her first baby early this year. It’s really a tragedy.”
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba, in a statement, said Governor Obiano and the entire people of Anambra State regret the unfortunate situation, adding that the state government had taken steps to address the concerns of those affected.
The statement read: “Government, therefore, requests owners of properties affected by the tragic accident, shop owners and family members of deceased victims to assemble at Ekwueme Square, Awka on Monday, October 21, 2019, at 11 am for documentation and to see how the Anambra State government can assist them. “
A former member of House of Representatives, Tony Nwoye, said it was a sad day for Anambra State, regretting the enormous loss of lives and property.
He added: “I empathise with the families of the dead victims and those who lost properties to the inferno. I urge them to show courage and utmost faith in the Creator.
“The sun will still shine on them all “This accident has become too recurring in Anambra and should worry everyone. The collaboration of the government, relevant stakeholders and the citizens, is needed to develop a proactive strategy that will forestall any further occurrence of this nature. Never again shall we witness anything such as this.
“This is a time for us to show faith in our state and rally around the victims of the carnage. I call on Anambra people to come to the aid of the victims and collectively give them support to rebuild their businesses and overcome their grief. It is indeed a troubling time and we just have to show that brotherly spirit and love that make us Ndi Anambra at this time.”